Government of Enugu State, South East Nigeria has threatened to shut down schools and markets observing a sit-at-home order enforced by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, The DEFENDER has learnt.
The statement noted that proprietors of private schools in the state had sent messages to their pupils and students to stay away from school on account of what the SSG described as illegal one-week sit-at-home order declared by faceless non-state actors in the state.
It will be recalled that Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), over the time, had held the entire South East region hostage with its sit-at-home order by which it had paralised economic and social activities in states of the region Enugu inclusive.
Speaking in the statement on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government said, “The Enugu State Government is alarmed and dismayed by this development and hereby warns that any school that fails to open and function normally from today will have its license revoked immediately.”
The SSG also said all markets and shops in state must be open to customers or be shut down indefinitely.
“Government reiterates its ban on any form of illegal sit-at-home in all parts of the state, as it is evil and antithetical to all values we hold dear as a people, such as the Igbo spirit of industry, hardwork, creativity and productivity.
“The general public is urged to go about their normal daily activities as adequate security measures have been put in place to protect lives and property.”
The government warned that it will deploy the full instrumentality of the law such as the Cybercrime Act 2015 to go after and prosecute individuals and organisations encouraging the illegal sit-at-home order.
