Enugu, Anambra, and Imo defy IPOB's sit-at-home order on Biafra Day, ensuring normalcy amidst tensions. Security measures deployed, including roll calls, Schools Protection Squad, and police presence. Abia opts for diplomacy.
As the commemoration of ‘Biafra Day’ on May 30 approaches, tensions and debates rise in the South-East region of Nigeria. The Enugu State government has taken a firm stance against the Indigenous People of Biafra's (IPOB) sit-at-home order, asserting that May 30 remains a regular working day.
In a bid to ensure compliance, the state's Head of Service, Ken Ugwu, has directed all ministries, departments, and agencies of government (MDAs) to conduct a roll call for their employees. Absence without valid reasons will result in summary dismissal from service, according to Ugwu. This directive follows Governor Peter Mbah's previous confrontation with IPOB, which led to casualties and disruptions in social and economic activities last year.
In Anambra State, the Police Command has taken proactive measures by deploying a Schools Protection Squad (SPS) to guarantee the safety of students and school premises. Despite IPOB's directive for a sit-at-home, the state government has dismissed the order, emphasizing the importance of maintaining normalcy, especially during the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE). Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations Department, leads the SPS, supported by a joint security force comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence, and other agencies.
In Imo State, the Police Command has similarly deployed personnel across all 27 local government areas to uphold peace and security. Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma has urged residents to disregard IPOB's sit-at-home order and continue their daily activities without fear. Measures have been put in place to address any potential threats, with the police establishing emergency lines for reporting suspicious activities and stressing the importance of public vigilance.
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has opted for a diplomatic approach, recognizing the significance of the day for mourning and remembrance while prioritizing the smooth conduct of academic activities. Otti's administration is actively engaging with schools to prevent disruptions to the ongoing WAEC examinations, acknowledging the emotional weight attached to the period of the civil war. Through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti emphasized the need for wisdom and diplomacy in handling the situation.
