TUESDAY SIT-AT-HOME ORDER CRIPPLES AWKA SEVERELY

Reporter: NDU NWANNAH

Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, has been severely hit by the Sit-At-Home ordered, allegedly, by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB in the South East. Tuesday’s directive was allegedly given by the group to honour its departed heroes.

However, unlike Monday, when there was skeletal movement of citizens within Awka, most of the people were indoors on Tuesday. The few tricycles and shuttles on the road l plied the Old Awka- Onitsha Road and kept away from Arthur Eze, Dike, Works, Obunagu and other link Roads.

Some youths were sighted playing football on Zik Avenue by the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith.

Radio Nigeria gathered that a tricycle operator was attacked early in the day opposite Emmaus House, Awka. It was learnt that the passengers and the operator escaped while the tricycle was set ablaze.

A tricycle operator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Radio Nigeria that the incident forced most other operators off Arthur Eze Avenue and other routes. Most of the banks on Zik Avenue and Enugu-Onitsha Expressway did not open to customers as against the directive by the State Government earlier. The major parks in Awka were deserted as transport companies did not open to attend to customers. Also, most schools and other institutions did not open to the public.

The scenario also affected the ever busy Arroma, Unizik and Goodwill junctions as commercial tricycles and shuttles were not available to transport commuters. However, the Nkwo Market at Mgbakwu in Awka North LGA attended to customers. A Garri seller at the market, who spoke anonymously, lamented that the situation prevented customers from travelling from Awka and other areas to patronize them.