Leader of Biafran Zionist Movement & 20 Others Arrested in Enugu

About twenty one members of a group known as Biafra Zionist Movement have been arrested by the Nigeria Police, Enugu State Command.

A statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, indicated that the leader of the group, one Mr. Benjamin Onwuka was arrested May 30, with some of his members within the Enugu metropolis.

It further states that, Mr Onwuka had been standing trial in court over his alleged role of murder, armed robbery and unlawful possession of fire arms.

According to the statement, the suspects are helping the police in their investigations.

Meanwhile, the “Sit At Home Order” by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB did not receive much compliance in Enugu metropolis.

Most parts of the city yesterday did not witness much of the usual beehive of activities seen in the morning hours.

Residents of areas visited by our Correspondents were said to be partially observing the order.

As at seven forty five, in the morning our Correspondent who visited Ogbete Main Market, observed low business activities following poor turnout of traders.

Few vehicles mostly private ones were seen plying Zik Avenue to Ogbete round about leading to Okpara Avenue.

Heavy traffic usually witnessed during rush hours along Okpara Avenue by Christ Chemist Bus stop could not be seen, while most shops in the area remained closed and few people were in clusters discussing.

Three traders interviewed in the market, Jude Ozoemena, Okechukwu Chime and Nnaemeka Nwachukwu said although they opened for business, no trading was taking place due to the compliance to the order.

Also a transporter, Mr. Evaristus Okorie said they were also affected with the development.

Some buyers in the market said they could not buy most of the items needed as many of the shops did not open for business.

At Abakpa Nike axis, our Correspondent also observed that many tricyclists popularly known as keke operators and few bus drivers plying Old Park and Obiagu routes were carrying out their normal business.

Similarly, some private and heavy goods vehicles were plying although the traffic in the area remained scanty.

However, as the day progressed, the situation improved with heavier traffic and people going about their usual business.

Workers in Enugu also resumed work after the Democracy Day public holiday.

However, economic and social activities went on peacefully in Umuahia the capital of Abia State despite order.

In some major streets and roads in the area, people were seen in their various work places carrying out their duties.

At Aba and Bende roads both in Umuahia, traders were seen in their stalls attending to customers.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria some of them said that they decided to open their shops and ignore the sit-at-home order because they believed in oneness, peace and unity of the country.

At the State Secretariat in Ogwurube layout Umuahia, the story was the same as workers were seen in their offices carrying out their duties.

All the banks visited opened for business.

The story was a bit different in schools as most Primary and Secondary schools visited in Umuahia by our correspondent remained closed for fear of harassment on children by IPOB members.

Similarly, the sit at home call had no effect in Owerri and other major towns in Imo State as residents went about their normal businesses.

There was free human and vehicular movement across the state.

Normal academic activities were on at some of the schools visited by Radio Nigeria as teachers, students and pupils recorded impressive turn out.

Some of the teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity said though they were apprehensive of any unpleasant development, they had to go to work to avoid disciplinary actions especially since the past two days had been observed as public holidays in the State.

Few private schools that were under lock were said to be observing their routine midterm break and were expected to resume by Monday next week.

Markets within and outside Owerri, were beehive of activities. Banks, private offices and the State Secretariat also shunned the sit at home order.

Armed security operatives were seen at various strategic locations in the state apparently to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

In Anambra State, residents of Awka metropolis, defied the Sit-At-Home-Order of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and went about their normal activities.

Observations by Radio Nigeria revealed that popular Aroma, Unizik junctions and Eke-Awka market were alive with business activities.

One of the Cyber Cafe attendants, Miss Chikaodili Okonkwo, said she could not stay at home because IPOB would not provide food for her.

Also, some banks were opened to business transactions while others were closed.

Commercial vehicles and motorcyclists were busy operating but the movement of both commercial and private vehicles on inter-state level was low.

Radio Nigeria also visited the State Secretariat where it observed that civil servants were at their various duty posts.

Security agencies in the state paraded the streets of Awka metropolis in a show of force, a day to the Sit At Home Order by IPOB.

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