By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The sit-at-home civil action declared by separatist group- the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in South East Nigeria on Tuesday recorded overwhelming compliance, as major street witnessed minimal or no vehicular movement, highlighting the massive influence of the group in the region.
Even with the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Imo State where he had gone to commission projects on the invitation of the state Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, streets of Owerri the state capital were devoid of the usual razzmatazz of a presidential visit.
Our correspondent observed that traders and transporters observed that civil action declared was in solidarity with leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who appeared before Justice Binta Nyako of Federal High c6ourt Abuja in continuation of his trial in terrorism related charges.
Analysts have opined that the compliance recorded is not unconnected with fear of possible attack by IPOB foot soldiers rather than support for the separatist group since it was declared a terror group by the federal government of Nigeria.
South East Nigeria has since the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu been a hotbed of insecurity which targets state agents and government facilities. IPOB members have since denied being behind the attacks associated with “unknown gunmen” who have killed several police officers and other security agents.
At the visit, President Buhari commissioned Okigwe and Orlu roads as well as the rehabilitated House of Assembly complex in Owerri among others.
The President Buhari-led administration has since ignored calls to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, 54 and seeks political solutions to issues leading to his arrest and detention.
He rather advised the group to explore the window of the law to prove their innocence.
His group, IPOB is agitating for the creation of independent nation, Biafra from Nigeria, accusing the Nigeria government of not doing enough to foster inclusiveness decades after the end of the civil war that killed estimated three million persons.
The court has at several occasions denied Nnamdi Kanu’s application for bail, citing refusal to keep to previous bail conditions which led to his rearrest and repatriation back to Nigeria from Kenya last year.
