Schools, roads and businesses were deserted in Enugu on Monday following the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow peaceful protest.

Although it was supposed to be a physical protest on the streets of Abuja, residents of Enugu State, however, decided to stay away from virtually all socio-economic activities in solidarity with the action.

However, state government offices and workers reported for duty and rendered skeletal services, devoid of the usual hustle and bustle that typically characterised normal working days.

Few commercial and private vehicles operated, while banks were under lock and key.

The Guardian, which monitored the city, discovered that the ever-busy Agbani Road, Coal Camp, New Haven, New Layout, and Ogui Road were deserted, while young men turned the streets into a makeshift football pitch.

A viral video that circulated on social media had urged Igbo people to shun businesses in solidarity with the protest.

The video had warned that the protest “is not for actualisation of Biafra but to press for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained unjustly for a long time”.

Most schools in the state that may have been initially silent on whether to direct their students to report or not to report to school had Monday morning sent out messages urging them to remain “at home and be watchful of their environment.”

The messages had also stated that “further developments will be communicated in this regard, please.”