Biafra agitators paralyse business in Onitsha as Kanu’s trial resumes in Abuja

Protesters believed to be Indigenous People of Biafra on Monday blocked strategic roads in Onitsha and Nnewi, Anambra State, to protest the trial of Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja.

It was gathered that IPOB had, late on Sunday, sent out signals asking its members to enforce a sit-at-home protest in the South-East because of the case of Nnamdi Kanu, coming up on Monday, July 26, 2021, in Abuja.

A source said, “We got the signal very late in Awka. So, we could not mobilise to protest in Awka as they are doing in Nnewi and Onitsha. That’s why nothing is happening in Awka and environs.”

However, residents and visitors in Onitsha and Nnewi could not attend to their businesses as major roads in the two areas were blocked.

Sources in Onitsha said youths suspected to be members of IPOB made bonfire in most streets, while also ordering vehicles entering the city to turn back.

Shops, markets, and offices were under lock in Onitsha, while streets were deserted.

In Nnewi, it was gathered, the protesters were reportedly attacking vehicles that attempted to enter the town.

A trader, Lizinus Eze, said, “We heard it yesterday (July 25, 2021) as a rumour that there would not be market today (Monday), but this morning we found out that people were making bonfire everywhere in the city.

“Nobody has spoken to us about what is happening, but we learnt that it is IPOB that is trying for force people to stay at home in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu who is appearing in court today.

In Awka, the state capital, our correspondent who moved round found that commercial activities were going on without hitches.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, said he was in a meeting and would not be able to comment on the issue.

Punch