IPOB Sit-at-home Order Grounds Businesses, Others In South-East Nigeria (PHOTO)

By Ikpechukwu Ojobor

Commercial activities in the five eastern states of the country were Thursday grounded in solidarity with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who whose trial on treasonable felony began today in Abuja.

There was total compliance to the order as Major road in Enugu, Abakaliki, Owerri, Aba, Awka and Umuahia were deserted while banks, schools, filling stations and markets were locked off.

Thursday's sit-at-home order was issued by the separatist group as a way to show support to Kanu, The IPOB leader who appeared before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja to defend a 7 count charge proffered against him by the federal government.

Meanwhile, one trailer and a provision store were burnt in Emene, a suburb of Enugu metropolis by hoodlums suspected to be enforcing the sit-at-home order.

The trailer which belongs to Chisco company was set ablaze at Eke-Obinagu suburb along Enugu – Abakaliki Expressway in Enugu East Council Area of the state.

The truck which was said to be heading to Abakaliki was attacked and set ablaze in the early hours of Thursday while the driver was said to have escaped unhurt.

Also, a shop said to be stocked with provisions was totally razed down to ashes in the same Emene area of the state capital.

Some of the residents to spoke to our reporter said they were not forced to observe the order while others lamented that the frequent disruption of commercial activities was affecting them adversely.

There was total compliance to the ordee as Major road in Enugu, Abakaliki, Owerri, Aba, Awka and Umuahia were deserted while banks, schools, filling stations and markets were under lockThere was total compliance to the ordee as Major road in Enugu, Abakaliki, Owerri, Aba, Awka and Umuahia were deserted while banks, schools, filling stations and markets were under lock