IPOB A Criminal Group, Says IGP, Sit-At-Home Persists

THE Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, has charged the state Police Command to go tough on criminals, describing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a criminal group.

Alkali, who gave this charge while on a familiarisation visit to the Delta State Police Command on Monday, said the socio-cultural complexity of the state made it relative crime-prone, CityNews Nigeria learnt.

He said, “Anything that happens in Anambra State will affect Delta State, especially Asaba. That is why you must prepare to deal with any criminal, especially IPOB group.

“There are spillover agitations or demonstrations from Onitsha to Asaba. Brace up to IPOB challenge because it is a proscribed organisation and treat them as such. It is unfortunate that EndSARS started from Delta State.”

Meanwhile, for the second week running, businesses were grounded in the southeastern part of the country on Monday despite the suspension of the sit-at-home order by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.

From Owerri, Awka to Enugu and Abalakaliki, it was the same situation as banks, schools, markets, schools, eateries, supermarkets and shopping malls were under lock and keys with the operators staying at home.

In Imo State, intending customers on Monday were stranded as banks failed to open in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State.

This was even as markets, schools, eatery outfits, shopping malls and supermarkets also failed to open for the day.

CityNews Nigeria learnt that the situation around the state capital, observed that bank customers were stranded along Bank Road in Owerri.

The ever busy Government House Roundabout, Imo State University junction, Control Post junction and Warehouse Roundabout were deserted.

A resident, Sixtus Obinna, who spoke to our correspondent, said it was unfortunate that people were still sitting at home after IPOB had suspended the weekly sit-at-home order.

Also, mechanic workshops, filling stations, health centres, mobile food vendors as well as the hospitality industries that opened for business in Amakohia, Akwakuma, Orji, Egbu, Naze, Irette, Egbeada axis of Owerri recorded low patronage.

In Enugu, markets, shops, motor parks, banks, schools were closed, although secondary schools were opened for students taken their NECO exams.

Similarly, In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, majority of the residents continued to stay at home on Monday in spite of the suspension of the sit-at-home order.

Umuahia, the Abia State capital, was quiet on Monday, but not without vehicular and human movement.

Unlike last Monday, there was no reported violence or killing in Aba, while security operatives patrolled the commercial city of the state.

According to an Aba resident and National President of Coalition of South-East Youth Presidents, Goodluck Ibem, Aba is peaceful and people largely stayed at home due to fear.

‘Kanu can’t stop sit-at-home protest’

Also, an IPOB member, who spoke to our one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said even their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, could no longer stop the sit-at-home protest in the South-East.

He stressed, “You don’t stop spirit; even MNK can’t stop it, unless he is released. The people have chosen to take the fight by themselves; it’s as good as autopilot. We are not after money or income anymore. What we want is freedom.”

Reacting, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, said, “I don’t know of any IPOB warning that the police will unleash mayhem on the citizens today (Monday),” the PPRO stated.