Mixed reactions for the protest in Aba, Umuahia

Abia State residents reacted differently to the IPOB order to sit-at-home yesterday to mark the one-year anniversary of the invasion of the Afara Ukwu country home of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The whereabouts of the said IPOB leader since after the reported invasion has remained unknown thus fueling the allegation that he might have been taken away or abducted during the invasion last year.

Reports from Aba, the commercial hub of the state stated that although markets were open, there was no business as usual while the roads, banks and motor parks were deserted.

Chairman of the Abia State Market Traders Association ASMATA, Mr. Emeka Emechebe told The Guardian that nobody stopped any traders from going to the market.

In Umuahia, the state capital, there was nothing to show that such order was given hence there was total non-compliance. Offices, banks, markets, motor parks etc opened for business with free vehicular and human movement.

When contacted, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna said that there had been calm in the state and that there was no report of ugly or expected incident resulting from the IPOB order.