People in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria want the Nigerian Federal Government and all concerned authorities to fast-track the legal trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the outlawed separatist’s group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Kanu is facing seven-count amended charges of terrorism and treason activities before a Federal High Court in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
The call is coming on a day the IPOB leader is due to appear in court to face trial, but residents are largely staying away from work and all public places.
Some of the people want the government to consider granting court bail to Nnamdi Kanu, as a deliberate step to douse tension and end the continued sit-at-home actions in the Southeastern parts of the country.
Our correspondent who monitored the situation around the Anambra State capital, Awka, observed that the popular Zik Avenue, down to Eke Awka Market areas, the Unizik junction and Aroma area were all deserted and without the usual busy human and business activities.
IPOB through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, had since said, it has suspended the sit-at-home action across the South East region.
Not even the orders of Governor Willie Obiano, directing market leaders, banks and other businesses to open for activities have changed the people’s attitude, who chose to stay indoors on the command of the breakaway agitation group, IPOB.
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This Thursday, several business premises in Awka, Anambra State, including, motor parks, banks, filling stations and even government offices were under lock and keys.
Reports from Onitsha, the commercial hub and Nnewi, the industrial city of Anambra State, speak of the same deserted public places.
The famous Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Market, as well as the New Motor Spare Parts Market in Nnewi, were all grounded in commercial activities, in apparent compliance to the sit-at-home order.
The people are, therefore, calling on the governors of the five states that make up the South East region, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other well-meaning individuals to intervene and persuade the Federal Government for a dialogue, to resolve the issues and bring an end to the continued observance of the weekly self-imposed hardship on the people, by re-activating the economic activities of the region.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
