Imo State experienced widespread shutdown on Thursday as residents largely complied with a sit-at-home directive believed to be enforced in honor of Biafra Day.
Economic and social activities came to a near standstill across the state, with major institutions and businesses closing their doors.
Courts, government offices, schools, markets, and commercial transport operators were noticeably absent from the usual city bustle. Notably, ABC Transport issued a public notice ahead of the day, stating:
“We won’t be operating from our locations around and to the South East tomorrow (yesterday), May 30, 2025. This is due to the lockdown in South East.”
Some civil servants confirmed over the phone that they had stayed at home with their families.
Despite the widespread compliance, a few communities remained active. In parts of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, including Uvuru, Amuzu, and Lorji, normal activities were observed. Schools were in session, and the popular Orie Uvuru market operated as usual.
However, areas like Ihitte Uboma were fully locked down. A resident who identified himself simply as Ogueri shed light on the reasons for the high level of compliance:
“There is something you must realize about our area: There is no operational police division in the whole of Ihitte Uboma, Obowo and Ehime Mbano local government areas to date. We are not likely going to get intervention from any security agency, if anyone is attacked in my community.”
So, there is no point in taking a costly chance. In the circumstance, most of us decided to respect ourselves and stay peacefully in our respective homes.”
Offering a spiritual perspective, a local priest (who asked to remain anonymous) criticized the tactics used to enforce the sit-at-home order:
“We are all, one way or the other, IPOB members, but the way some people are going about it is not good at all. They should appeal to our conscience to understand what we are seeking and not forcing and killing the people they want to protect.”
“Instilling fear in everybody will not help us. What our enemies want, is for all of us to die and let things no work. They don’t care whether we live or die and we are helping them to surreptitiously achieve it.”
Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command issued a strong statement emphasizing that proactive security measures were in place. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye:
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP, Aboki Danjuma, has once again called on the good and law-abiding people of Imo State, to disregard the disruptive sit-at-home threat, issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network, ESN.”
“The CP reassures all residents that the Command, in synergy with other security agencies, has activated robust security measures to forestall any form of threat or attack across the state.”
Security leaders across multiple agencies, including Brigadier General M. I. Abbas of the 34 Artillery Brigade, DSS Director Olushola Aguda, Air Commodore D.E. Bello of the Nigeria Air Force 211 QRG, and others from the NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC, and Fire Service, are coordinating closely with the police.
“Joint security operatives have been strategically deployed across the 27 Local Government Areas of the State. These operatives are currently undertaking intensive confidence-building patrols and operation show-of-force to deter criminal elements and reassure members of the public.”
The command also issued a warning to anyone planning to disrupt peace:
“Imo State Police Command, therefore, issues a stern warning to any person or group planning to breach the peace by attempting to enforce the illegal sit-at-home threat that such persons will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.”
Finally, the Commissioner urged residents to remain alert and report anything suspicious:
“The Commissioner of Police urges Ndi Imo to remain vigilant, security conscious, and to report any suspicious movement or activity within their environment to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency lines: 08034773600 or 08148024755.”
