Enugu to Shutdown Schools, Markets Over Observance of Sit-at-Home

Gunmen burn police van, chase residents in Ebonyi  

Gideon Arinze in Enugu and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

The Enugu State Government has threatened to shut down schools and markets that would observe the one week sit-at-home order given by self-acclaimed disciple of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) Mr. Simon Ekpa.

This is just suspected gunmen yesterday set ablaze a police patrol van in Ukwuagba Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The gunmen were said to have stormed a police checkpoint in the area and ordered policemen on duty to vacate the area and immediately set the police van ablaze.

Ekpa had declared a one-week sit-at-home starting from July 3 to July 9 to demand for the release of IPOB’s Leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.

Reacting to the declaration, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chidiebere Onyia, said in a public statement that the attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to reports on social media yesterday’s morning that proprietors of private schools in the state are sending messages to their pupils and students to the effect that they should not come to school from today on account of the illegal one week sit-at-home order allegedly declared by faceless non-state actors in the state.

Onyia said: “The Enugu State Government is alarmed and dismayed by this development and hereby warns that any school that fails to open and function normally from today will have its license revoked immediately.” 

The government also sounded the same warning to market unions and shop owners in the state, noting that they must be open to customers from today or be shut down indefinitely.