Private and missionary schools in Imo State have shut down due to the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) effective Monday, May 31, 2021, throughout the South-East region to mark the 54th anniversary of Biafra.
It was gathered that Owerri residents also resorted to panic buying on Thursday in order to prepare for the possible fallout of the directive.
Some schools have been shut till Tuesday next week, while others gave their pupils one week break in order to avoid any casualty.
However, Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, asked the people to ignore IPOB’s sit-at-home order.
He said the state government had the capacity to enforce law and order during and after the period.
Emma Powerful, the group’s Director of Media and Publicity, said:
“We, the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, ably led by the prophet of our time, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce once again that this year’s annual Biafra Remembrance Day and candle light procession will take place on Sunday night, 30th of May, while a sit-at-home and total lockdown takes place on Monday, 31st of May, 2021, and not May 30 as earlier announced.
“The adjustment is to enable churches to hold their normal services on Sunday, May 30, without any obstruction. But there will be no human or vehicular movement throughout Biafra land on Monday May 31.
“Every person in Biafra land is therefore, advised to observe a sit-at-home order on Monday, May 31, 2021. That day is a sacred day in Biafra land in honour of the over five million Biafrans massacred by the wicked Nigeria forces during the civil war.
“There will be a total lockdown all through Biafra land on that day as we remember all our fallen heroes and heroines, including agitators, who have paid the supreme price in the course of our struggle for independence since 1967 till date.
“All markets, filling stations, motor parks, airports, seaports, banks, schools, etc as well as social activities in Biafra land are to be shut down on that day. Everyone is to remain indoors in Biafra land from 6am to 6pm on that day. People are to stock their houses with food items before that day so they won’t have need to shop on that day.”
Likewise, on Sunday, May 30th 2021 have been set aside to pray for the restoration of the Biafra citizens.
On Thursday Uchenna Madu, National Leader of MASSOB in a statement, requested that all churches in Biafra land to observe special prayers and supplication for the peace of the souls of fallen Biafra heroes, including those killed by Nigerian security agents, Boko Haram and herdsmen.