Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has warned that traders who comply with Monday’s sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should be ready to forfeit their shops.
Umahi issued the warning in a state-wide broadcast on Saturday in Abakaliki.
Equally important, the governor spoke as part of activities marking the sixth anniversary of his administration. Specifically, he was reacting to the order by the proscribed group to the people of South-East zone.
Umahi directed that all markets in the state should open for business on Monday.
“There should be free movement of people in the state on Saturday; Sunday, Monday and other days of the year. People should go to church on Sunday to pray for the nation’s fallen security agents; civilians and peace and unity of the state and country.
“I challenge the youths, local government area chairmen, security agents, Ebebeagu security outfit, among others; to ensure that no one is molested in the state.
“Anyone who has nothing to protect himself should do so with cutlass; which should be for protection and not for attack.”
Also, he reiterated the ban on all forms of procession in the state; except those by youths organised by council chairmen.

“I have been notified about such processions and they are being used to profile our people for empowerment. I charge the Ebubeagu security outfit, which is backed by the state laws, to ensure that the people are protected,” Umahi said.
Further, Umahi noted that Ebonyi is the last state to obey such an unlawful order on restriction of movement.
“There will be movement in other parts of the country, if there is none in the South-East so people should therefore ignore such order. Ebonyi people are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for all his assistance and if people do not see his goodness, he has been good to us,” he said.
He urged parents and relevant stakeholders to advise youths to toe the path of peaceful co-existence; urging them not to depend on the illusionary influences of hard drugs and fetish powers.
In a related development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State; Mr Mohammed Aliyu, also advised residents to disregard the IPOB order. Aliyu gave the advice in a statement issued in Enugu by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday.
According to Ndukwe, the commissioner appeals to residents to discountenance the order; adding that they should go about their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation.
The statement further urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant as they go about their legitimate businesses. It appealed to the people to report criminal elements and persons found fomenting trouble to the nearest police station.
IPOB had issued a sit-at-home order in the South East on May 31 to commemorate the death of those that died during the civil war that ended about 51 years ago.