Enugu threatens to shut schools, markets observing sit-at-home

The Enugu state government has threatened to shut down schools and markets observing the one week sit-at-home order issued by Simon Ekpa.

On June 14, Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), declared a total lockdown from July 3 to 10, excluding July 6, in the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, Chidiebere Onyia, secretary to the state government, said the government is “alarmed and dismayed” by the development.

He, therefore, warned that any school that fails to open and function normally on Tuesday will have its licence revoked immediately.

He added that the warning extends to market unions and shop owners.

“The attention of the Enugu state government has been drawn to reports on social media this Tuesday morning that proprietors of private schools in the state are sending messages to their pupils and students to stay at home,” Onyia said.

“This is on account of the illegal one week sit-at-home order allegedly declared by faceless non-state actors in the state.

“All markets and shops in the various markets must be open to customers from today or be shut down indefinitely.”

Onyia added that any sit-at-home in any part of the state “is evil and antithetical to all values we hold dear as a people, such as the Igbo spirit of industry, hard work, creativity and productivity”.

He urged the public to go about their normal daily activities as adequate security measures have been put in place to protect lives and property.

“Government will no longer sit by and watch faceless groups and misguided individuals issue illegal orders, dictating to us how to lead our lives, when to go to work or market and when our children go to school,” he said.

“This is no longer acceptable and must be confronted and defeated with every power and resources at our disposal.”