On Monday commercial activities returned to Owerri, the Imo State capital, as roadside traders, pharmacies and vehicles flooded the roads.
Correspondent who visited major parts of Owerri on Monday observed that banks, shops and major markets were open for business compared to previous Mondays, whereby residents stayed indoors out of fear of being attacked by hoodlums in the guise of enforcing an already canceled sit-at-home order.
Our correspondent gathered that many government workers at the state secretariat, businesses, like fast-food centres, artisans, roadside traders, supermarkets and mobile food vendors operated freely.
A food vendor at IMSU junction, while reacting to the development, told our correspondent that her business has suffered so much since the declaration of sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
She said her life is more important than anything, adding that “we have to stay indoors out of fear because nobody knows what could happen as we trade in this place.”
She lauded IPOB for canceling the sit-at-home order, saying it was seriously affecting her business, “this business is where I get what I feed my family on daily basis”.
A commercial driver, Mr Dan Ekeh expressed joy, calling on the Federal Government to dialogue with IPOB to settle their grievances.
He said, ”It is high time for Federal Government to engage the separatist group in a dialogue and also release its leader who is currently in detention to prevent further spread of violence and killings in the entire South East region”
It was reported that normalcy has returned to places like Akwakuma, Amakohia, Wetheral, Douglas, Tetlow, Onitsha, Okigwe, Mbaise and Aba.
Recall that IPOB had on August 9, 2021, canceled what it tagged ‘Ghost Mondays’ to now hold any day Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will appear in court but despite the cancelation of the sit-at-home order for the past four Mondays, business activities have been paralyzed in Imo State.
