The Enugu State Police Command, Sunday, urged residents of the state to disregard calls for sit-at-home by some dissidents claiming to be launching Biafran armoured vehicles.
The pro-Biafra group declared Monday and Tuesday sit-at-home for the launch, which they claimed will take place in all South-East states.
To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has urged residents to ignore the calls.
Describing it as “a criminally minded viral video from an unidentified individual advising them to sit-at-home on Monday, 21st, and Tuesday, 22nd October 2024”, the commissioner said the advice and the reasons for it were “baseless, unwarranted, and a deliberate attempt to incite fear and unrest in the state”.
CP Kanayo said Enugu State has long moved past such criminally motivated illegal sit-at-home orders or advice, “which are often designed to destabilise the social, economic, and psychological well-being of the people under the guise of secessionist agitations.”
He encouraged citizens to carry on with their lawful activities without fear or intimidation, assuring them that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, were prepared to maintain peace and security across the state.
He warned that any individuals or groups attempting to disrupt public order would be ruthlessly dealt with.
CP Kanayo also urged parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against being used for any act of inimical to the peace and security of the state, warning that the legal consequences of such involvements would be dire.
The commissioner further enjoined residents of the state to stay vigilant, law-abiding, and report suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest police station, or contact the Enugu State Command via the following numbers: 08032003702, 08098880172, 08086671202.
Meanwhile, some people who spoke on the call said they would observe the situation cautiously before coming out on the stated days.
Mathew Igboke is a parent. He said, “I know that sit-at-home has been cancelled in Enugu State. But even at that, not all businesses are fully operational on Mondays. I am a businessman, but will be cautious on those two days. My kids will also not be allowed to move out very early in the morning.”
A mother was heard saying she would not allow her daughter to go to school. “I can afford to keep my child out of school on Monday. If nothing happened, she would attend on Tuesday. I have no strength to risk anything.”
Mondays have been sit-at-home earlier declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra to pressure the release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is being detained at the custody of the Department of State Services.
Despite Kanu, through his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, denouncing the declaration, most places in Igboland on Mondays are deserted.