Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, and Abia states residents have been forced to remain in doors for not less than 144 days observing the sit-at-home order for from January till date.
The Sunday PUNCH reports that the sit-at-home, despite directive by governors in the region that people should ignore the directive, was declared in the five south-eastern states by a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, led by Simon Ekpa.
The Nnamdi Kanu faction has dissociated itself from the sit-at-home, but many people have continued to accuse the separatist group for the directive, which has claimed many lives and destruction of property.
The sit-at-home was enforced in the region on Monday until the Ekpa group declared a one-week sit-at-home a couple of days ago.
Findings showed that Ebonyi State residents observed theorder for 31, Anambra State 48 days, Imo Statein 28 days and Abia State 37 days.
Apart from the weekly Monday sit-at-home, Anambra State residents were forced to observe order declared by the Finland-based Ekpa for about 15 days, bringing the total number to 48 days in the state.
Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo had through his press secretary, Christian Aburime, told residents not to obey the sit-at-home order, accusing Simon Ekpa of being a fugitive and rabble-rouser who should be completely ignored by the citizens of Anambra State and by extension the South-East.
“Our markets, schools, businesses and other social activities will remain open. Anambra State will never be a breeding ground for anarchy, fear or lawlessness.”
Similar, the state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, said, “The issue of sit-at-home is one that is complex because we cannot force people to come out because it would be an infringement on their fundamental human rights.
“All that we can do is to ensure the safety of lives and property and allow people to go about their lawful activities without any form of harassment or molestation.”
The President-General, Ohanaeze Youth Council, Igboayaka Igboayaka, said the sit-at-home order was undermining the economy of the region, and urged the Federal Government to obey court judgments ordering Kalu’s release.
