- Shops, markets, offices, schools closed in Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi States
- Two Army officers feared killed by unknown gunmen in Abia
- Uzodimma condemns killing of soldiers by hoodlums
- Kanu’s lawyer wants May 30 declared public holiday
Economic activities were halted on Thursday across major parts of the South East states as residents stayed indoors in compliance with the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Despite assurances from the police and state governments of their safety, residents remained indoors while shops, markets, schools and public and private offices were closed.
Checks by The Point revealed that Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia and Ebonyi States complied with the sit-at-home directive largely.
Recall that IPOB had ordered residents of the South East to sit-at-home to mark Biafra Day.
IPOB had scheduled May 30 as a day to remember those who paid the supreme price during the Biafra civil war.
In its order, IPOB also cautioned the West African Examinations Council against conducting its examination in the South East on Thursday.
Two Army officers feared killed by unknown gunmen in Abia
Unfortunately, unknown gunmen reportedly enforcing the sit-at-home directive in commemoration of the May 30 Biafra Heroes Day reportedly killed two soldiers following an attack on their patrol van.
The Point gathered that the military men stationed at Obikabia junction, in Aba, Abia State were attacked by masked gunmen numbering over 15 and their van set ablaze.
A witness who shared a video of the attack disclosed that the military men were outnumbered by the enforcers.
“I don’t know how many of the Army men that died but I have seen two bodies on the floor,” the witness who gave his name as Obinna said.
He narrated that, “the gunmen came in an SUV jeep and Sienna and attacked the army men at the junction.
“The gunmen were all masked and they outnumbered the military men killing about two of them.
“Gunshots have been renting the air and we have all gone inside. The patrol van of the military men has also been set ablaze by the hoodlums,” he added.
Uzodimma condemns killing of soldiers by hoodlums
Meanwhile, the Governor of Imo State and Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, has condemned in very strong terms the killing of soldiers who were on lawful duty in Aba, Abia State by hoodlums masquerading as members of the Independent Peoples of Biafra.
The soldiers were ambushed and then killed by the gang of criminals who claimed to be enforcing a sit-at-home order in the South East.
Governor Uzodimma who addressed the media on Thursday in Government House Owerri had condemned the dastardly act which he said occurred without provocation.
Governor Uzodimma urged the security agencies to “go all out and ensure that those behind it are caught and brought to book.”
He bemoaned what happened as “unfortunate, without any reason as innocent people doing their lawful duty were gunned down.”
He said the unfortunate situation was a major setback on the peace process which the Governors of the South East have been pursuing vigorously by engaging the Federal Government, security agencies and other critical stakeholders on how best to resolve the problem of insecurity in the South East.
Governor Uzodimma regretted that the action will erroneously portray the people of South East in bad light “as if we don’t have sympathy for human lives or that the peace process being pursued is not appreciated.”
The Governor seized the opportunity to condole with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Toured Lagbaja, the Nigerian Army and the families of the soldiers who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.
However, he reiterated the resolve of the leadership of the people of South East in general and the governors in particular, not to leave any stone unturned to ensure that the needed peace to develop the region is achieved.
Governor Uzodimma repeated the call on the security agencies to do their job without hindrance and to ensure that those behind the dastardly act are fished out so as to serve as deterrent to others.
On the activities of the perpetrators of the killing, the governor who described them as criminals said they were propelled by the memory of the past that is still hunting them, noting that, “we should find courage and appreciate the fact that a lot of work had gone into the peace process.”
He maintained that the South East region in general and Imo State in particular crave for peace and advised the people to come out and go about their businesses “without fear of any molestation by anybody.”
He insisted that his government is doing her best in the area of security “and God is supporting and helping us.”
Kanu’s lawyer wants May 30 declared public holiday
Meanwhile, the lead counsel for IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has asked the governors in the South East region to declare May 30 as a public holiday.
Ejiofor said the day was set aside as a special day to remember and reflect on the death of over five million South Easterners, who were massacred during the three-year Biafra-Nigeria war, which lasted from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970.
He stated this in a press statement he issued on Thursday, adding that the day should be dedicated to honouring its fallen heroes and heroines.
He said, “It is a time of introspection, a moment to consider the position of Biafrans in modern-day Nigeria and their relevance in the broader national context. Unfortunately, the issues that ultimately led to the Biafran war are still present within the policies and decisions of the government.
“Further, we must remember the massacre of over 6,000 men, mainly residents of Asaba, who were gruesomely killed at Obosowe Asaba in present-day Delta State between October 4 and 7, 1967. Nigeria is under a moral obligation to acknowledge this tragedy, as it was not the making of Asaba.
“It is important to note that no matter how long history is hidden, it will always reveal itself on true platforms. Unfortunately, the story of post-war reconstruction, reintegration, and reconciliation has remained a ruse. These three Rs must go hand in hand for a full healing process, but the reverse has been the case.
“I use this moment of sober reflection to call on all South East governors to dedicate May 30 as a public holiday, as a mark of respect and honour for Biafran fallen heroes. It is not asking too much to remember and commemorate Biafran heroes and heroines by declaring this date a public holiday across Biafraland.
“It is worth noting that long before 2019, the entire South West states had set aside June 12 as a public holiday to commemorate the anniversary of the annulled 1993 Presidential election, adjudged to have been won by the late MKO Abiola.
“Heaven did not fall when the South West governors made this declaration in unison. Rather, the Federal Government was later compelled by the strong resolve of these leaders to consequently declare June 12, a national public holiday starting from 2019 to date.
“Only the truth can set us free from the bondage of war and propaganda. I also wish to use this solemn opportunity to call on the government, particularly the Federal Government, to unconditionally release genuine Biafran agitators who are being held in various detention facilities.”
He added that only the gesture would go a long way in assuaging the ill feelings of the gravely marginalised Biafrans and help restore a sense of reintegration in the Nigerian project, pending a United Nations-organised and supervised referendum to determine the ultimate fate of Biafrans.
“As we continue to pray for the repose of our fallen heroes and heroines massacred during the civil war and subsequently, may we remember the cause for which they died.
“They did not die for the cause of relentless perpetration of heinous crimes, not for the cause of kidnapping, not for the cause of rampant rape of their descendants, not for the cause of killing our innocent brothers and sisters by those who have sold their souls to evil,” he added.
