Biafra Day: Anambra Streets Deserted as Fear Forces Residents to Stay at Home

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Streets of all the towns and villages in Anambra State were yesterday clear of both human and vehicular activities, as a result of the Biafra Day remembrance.

Separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had years back declared May 30 of every year as a day of sober reflection all over the South-east. 

The declaration is meant to be in commemoration of the declaration of the sovereign state of Biafra by demised war lord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. The declaration happened in 1967.

Though this year’s event, unlike other years where violent clashes were usually registered as a result of attempts by separatist elements to forcefully keep residents at home – registered no incidences of violence.

In Awka, the state capital, THISDAY observed that businesses and other public places were completely shut down.

Residents of other towns and villages within the state who were contacted also stated that businesses were grounded in their locations.

Anambra State Police Command had assured that they will ensure that no violence was registered. It urged citizens to go about their normal duties without fear, while also assuring deployment of operatives to strategic places in the state.

THISDAY also observed that motor parks, markets, shops, schools, banks and even government offices were under lock and keys. Only very few cars were seen on the road, just as public places were devoid of human beings.

A resident of Awka, Mr. Moses Ezeh attributed the compliance of residents to the stay at home to fear.

He added that he was not surprised that there was no violence, attributing it to the continued detention of both Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa; both known separatists.

He said, “I think it is just fear that is keeping people at home. The deserted nature of the streets today is just because of fear of what had happened in previous years, where IPOB used to threaten to deal with anyone who dared to disobey their order for people to stay at home.

“In this year’s exercise, we did not witness threats from Kanu as he is still in DSS custody. Also, Ekpa who took over from him after his arrest in 2021 has also been arrested and detained in Finland. So, there was no one to incite people into violent enforcement of the exercise. It was just fear that kept people in their homes,” Ezeh said.