For the first in recent time, residents of Enugu metropolis have refused to comply with the sit-at-home order declared by the self-acclaimed Biafra leader, Simon Ekpa, who is based in Finland.
Ekpa had last weekend asked the residents of Enugu to observe sit-at-home over the death of an Ogene Musician, Okezie Mba, aka Igbo ja.
And just Monday(28, October 2024), the Nigeria Police arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, the police Inspector, Joseph Ozonwanji, who allegedly killed the musician.
The dismissed police officer was of the Anti-Cultism Police Squad, Enugu.
His arraignment followed the orderly room trial and approval of his dismissal and arraignment by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 13, Godwin Aghaulor.
However, Blueprint observed that residents of Enugu resisted Ekpa’s sit-at-home order as markets, shops and parks remained open for business the the Enugu metropolis.
The non-compliance with the order could be as a result of the Enugu state government directive to the citizenry to disregard order.
To dissuade the residents from comply with the order, Enugu state government dismissed as mischievous “the illegal sit-at-home declared by some faceless non-state actors for Tuesday, October 29, 2024, over the unfortunate death of the popular Ogene musician, Okezie Mba, aka Igbo Jah, describing those behind the illegal order as criminals and opportunists who do not mean well for the Ndi Enugu and Ndi Igbo at large.’
The government, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia, on Sunday, said, “Our attention has been drawn to reports making the rounds on social media to the effect that some criminal and faceless non-state actors have declared a sit-at-home in Enugu State on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 purportedly to protest the unfortunate killing of the popular Ogene musician, Okezie Mba, aka Igbo Jah, by a police officer on Friday.
“The Enugu State government once again restates its condemnation of the killing as abominable, unacceptable and totally against the values we hold dear, most especially the sanctity of human life.
“Indeed, His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, spared no time in ordering a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstance of the killing with a view to bringing the perpetrator(s) to justice. Already, the culprit has been identified and in custody while investigation continues.
“The Enugu State government is, however, not surprised that criminal elements are seeking to exploit the unfortunate situation to cause mayhem in the state, restrict economic activities, and inflict more pain on our people.”