In Imo, soldiers, security agents force shops to comply with lockdown

For many who didn’t take the lockdown seriously in Imo State, now they may have to wait before they stock their homes with foodstuff as the state has begun ‘operation lockdown compliance’.

Scores of security agents led by the soldiers on Monday embarked on core enforcement of total lockdown in Owerri, the state capital city.

The soldiers majorly overtook the streets of Owerri, more than ever before, preventing free movement of those who failed to obey the stay-at-home order directed by the governor, Hope Uzodinma, a fortnight ago, and reinforced at the weekend.

The state governor relaxed the lockdown order on Good Friday, when resident were permitted to buy foodstuffs. Consequently food markets and food vending supermarkets were allowed to open from 6am to 6pm. Boutiques, jewellery shops and all other non-food markets and outlets remained shut.

Many shop owners on the streets were forced to close and retire to their homes, while bus drivers (BusImo) were prevented from loading at secret places, including plying on the roads.

The security operatives who enforced the order seized lots of the wares.

Virtually at major junctions in the city had blocked checkpoints by the soldiers assisted by the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.

One of the residents, who spoke with The Guardian, Alex Manu, said he was shocked that even those who sold food items were prevented from selling food to the people already hungry.

“This should be handled properly otherwise, there will be trouble, as people are already hungry,” Manu said.