Umuahia, the Abia state capital, remained calm and few residents went about their business for most part of the day while Aba, the commercial nerve centre, was quiet and deserted in total compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by pro-Biafra agitators.
The action was meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the then Eastern Region of Nigeria as Biafra and to press home their demand for separation from the country.
The agitators include Movement for the Actualization for the Sovereign State of Biafra, Biafra Independent Movement, Indigenes Peoples of Biafra and their legion of supporters.
In Umuahia, with the exception of commercial banks and some public school premises, which were under lock and key, civil servants, shop owners, hawkers and transporters were seen transacting business without harassment or molestation by anyone or group.
At the entrance to many of the banks in both cities, customers were seen standing beside the gates making inquiries from security personnel while those with Automated Teller Machine cards were making withdrawals.
A customer at the gate of one of the new generation banks along Library Avenue (Bank Road), Umuahia, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that she needed money urgently to attend to some challenges in her cold room business.
But for Chukwudi Okoroafor, a tricycle operator, the day was like any other.
“Much as I am interested in the struggle for the actualization of Biafra, I have to place food on the table for my family and attend to my other responsibilities,” he said.
Meanwhile, as at the time of filing this report, there has been no report of any clashes between the security agencies and the agitators in either of the cities or their environs.
Yesterday, the state command of the Nigeria Police issued a statement reassuring the citizens that it would ensure that their fundamental human rights would be judiciously protected.
The statement, which was signed by the command’s public relations officer for the commissioner, said the state police boss had urged them to go about their lawful business without entertaining any fear of molestation.
According to the statement, “The aerial and land surveillance being experienced is part of the command’s security arrangement structured to upgrade her networks.”
It stated that the joint patrol involving all the security agencies covered the nooks and crannies of the state, adding, “All these are aimed at providing adequate security of lives and property for all and sundry.”
