IPOB: Enugu govt shutdown businesses still observing Monday sit-at-home

The Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah sealed shops in major markets across the state on Monday that refused to do business in response to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sit-at-home order.

This follows Governor Mbah’s warning last week that businesses in the state should open for business or risk being closed.

The operation was intended to demonstrate the government’s seriousness, according to the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, who led the team from the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority.

He went on to say that it was to support those who demonstrated a willingness to follow government directives.

Recall that the Indigenous People of Biafra faction led by Simon Ekpa had continued to impose the Monday sit-at-home order firmly in protest of the ongoing detention of secessionist movement leader Nnamdi Kanu. Residents of South-Eastern states have continued to abide by the sit-at-home order out of fear of attack from the gunmen wreaking terror in the area.

But last week, state governor Mbah declared war on people and businesses in the state who, for whatever reasons, don’t show up for work or don’t open on Mondays.

In enforcing the sit-at-home ban, Mbah, who is currently defending his legitimacy before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, vowed to close down any businesses that didn’t open on Mondays.

On July 24, as residents continued to adhere to the sit-at-home order, Mbah started sealing businesses in and around the Enugu metropolis, making good on his threats.