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Ghost Monday: Owerri, Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi on lockdown as ordered by IPOB, one reportedly killed

The commercial city of Aba, Abia State, Nnewi and Onitsha in Anambra State as well as Owerri in Imo State were on Monday placed on lockdown by residents who refused to exit their houses or carry out commercial activities in compliance with a directive by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

There were no vehicular movements in the cities, and commercial activities were suspended.

Reports from Nnewi indicate that one person may have been killed, but details are still sketchy as to the identity of the victim or circumstances that may have led to the death.

The IPOB group had declared a sit-at-home directive for every Monday in the South-East region of the country starting August 9 to press home demands for the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu who is being tried for treason related offenses by the Nigerian government.

It had also earlier threaten to deal with anyone who flouts the order which it described as Ghost Monday, a situation which must have scared many residents to remain indoors to avoid possible violence.

Most shops and offices were under lock and key in Owerri, Onitsha, Nnewi and Aba as at the time of this report, against pleas by the state governments and the police for citizens to ignore the IPOB directive and go about their normal businesses.

There had been confusion earlier whether or not the Ghost Monday had been called off after contradicting communications came form the IPOB and a younger brother to the detained IPOB leader, Kanunta Kanu, who was said to have encouraged residents of the South-East to ignore the IPOB directive.

Kanunta had in a statement on Sunday, suspended the sit-at-home action, citing the National Examination Council’s (NECO) exams for junior secondary school students that had just begun as a reason.

Also, the IPOB leader’s younger brother said the group would announce a new date for the commencement of the sit-at-home.

However, the IPOB Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, in a counter-statement, maintained that the group would go ahead with the sit-at-home as planned on Monday, stating that the date remained sacrosanct.

Photos: Nnewi community launches security outfit

To tackle the rising spate of insecurity in Nigeria and the Southeast, Nnewi Community in Anambra state, has launched the Nnewi Vigilante Service who were recently trained by the Nigeria Police Force, to combat crime and ensure safety and security of the local communities.

During the inauguration of the Anambra Vigilantes Group Volunteers from Nnewi, some new Innoson patrol vans were donated to the security outfit to aid the smooth execution of their duties.

The event which took place on 25th April at Igwe Nnewi Palace, also saw the inauguration of the Nnewi Security Committee headed by Chief Sir Patrick Ubajiaka.

Handing over the new Innoson patrol vans to the new constables, the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu (III), said that the patrol vans were donated through the contributions of Nnewi sons and daughters, to aid the new constables to stem and forestall any possible break down of law and order.

He encouraged the constables to be dedicated in their duties, especially in fishing out criminal elements in the town, urging them to maintain a good relationship with the locals to enable them to discharge their duties properly.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Ibeto Group, Cletus Mmadubugwu Ibeto warned that Nnewi Security Outfit wasn’t established to control traffic, to serve as escorts, or to confiscate motorcycles, but to bring security closer to the people.

He revealed that the security outfit has the support of prominent Nnewi sons and daughters, noting that more support will be given to the outfit to make them effective.

In his address, the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano who was represented by Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka urged the newly inaugurated AVG personnel to be diligent and tactful in their operations advising all local governments that are yet to key in into the ongoing reformation of the vigilante to emulate Nnewi community and reform their AVG for a better and improved security system across the state.