In the aftermath of the three crucial days of mass protests embarked upon by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over non-release of their leader Nnamdi Kanu, markets, banks and schools remained closed Thursday apparently in solidarity with the protesters or for fear of being attacked by the protesters.
Both the Building Materials International Market at Ogidi, near Onitsha, New Auto Spare Parts market at Nkpor and other major markets remained closed, just as banks and schools remained under lock and key.
A detachment of stern-looking soldiers and mobile policemen in their numbers were manning the roads and stopping all vehicles, a situation which led to a traffic gridlock from the former Toll Gate at Ogbunike to Bridge-head end of the Enugu/Awka/Onitsha expressway.
An Igbo leader, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka said Ndigbo has invited police road blocks unto themselves once more because of their riotuous acts, adding that inasmuch as he was not against the agitation for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, it appeared some criminals had infiltrated into the protests and caused some havoc to bring untold hardship on the citizenry.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil societie group has called for immediate resignation of the embattled Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase for his murderous shoot-at-sight order and vicarious roles in the Onitsha killings of protesting IPOB members.
In a statement released Thursday by Emeka Umeagbalasi, the Coordinating Principal of the group, the coalition said it is equally important to inform the public that the Nigeria Police Force under Arase is already under the jurisdictional watch of the International Criminal Court as compilation and computation of cases of all police and military related extra-judicial killings in the country are steadily in progress.
He added: “For failing to heed our warning of 13th November 2015, we will be glad to ensure that IGP Arase and his named sub-commanders are handcuffed and flown to The Hague soon for the purpose of making them face international trial for crimes against humanity.”
According to the coalition, “On the other hand, we call on IPOB and its teeming followers to remain peaceful, non-violent and law-abiding at all times, not minding the state violence recently visited and unleashed on them.
“They must also watch their back and be extremely vigilant so as to ward off sustained efforts of some commissioned elements within the Federal Government, particularly its security establishments and stooges within the Southeast Governors Forum, to implant elements of violence in their agitations so as to destroy their globally approved method of non-violence and peaceful means and cash in on same for the purpose of deploying and applying deadly force or violence to further kill them in thousands and rope in Citizen Nnamdi Kanu on other trumped up charges or sustenance of its current trumped up charge of terrorism and terrorism financing.”
-Vanguard
