The Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State has intensified, following recent attacks across the state. In response, private and mission schools operating on Mondays have suspended classes until further notice.
The Catholic Education Council issued a directive, citing security concerns, announcing that schools would no longer hold on Mondays. Students were advised to stay home and resume today, November 26.
However, Senior Secondary School (SSS3) students are expected to attend school on Mondays and Saturdays for special lessons without uniforms. The council expressed appreciation to parents and guardians who completed their payments as expected and urged them to share the message with others.
The decision came after reports of threats by unknown individuals to attack school buses and institutions that remained open on Mondays. In response to these threats, commercial activities in Anambra were also affected, with traders at Awka’s main market hurriedly closing their shops after hearing that gunmen were targeting the market.
The Anambra Innovation Week, which commenced yesterday, saw a low turnout, as participants from across the state could not attend due to security fears. The state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, officially declared the week open, and full attendance is expected to resume today.
In another incident, unidentified gunmen attacked operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Service along Amesi-Uga Road in Aguata Local Council.
One vigilante member was injured, and their vehicle was set on fire. Police responded swiftly, rescuing the injured officer and taking them to the hospital for treatment. The police secured the scene to prevent further criminal activity. Increased police patrols are also in place, focusing on intelligence-led operations to apprehend the attackers.
MEANWHILE, counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has advised those hiding under the guise of agitations and enablers of violence in the South East to embrace peace and shun baseless declarations that hurt the region.
Ejiofor also called on Ndigbo to ensure peace is restored in the region, while urging those perpetrating acts of killing to reflect on their actions and work towards peace, adding that freedom can never be won through violence.
In a statement yesterday, the IPOB lawyer said it is high time those deceived by an unrepentant “serial fraudster” in Finland paused to reflect and retreat.
Before Simon Ekpa’s arrest, a video and voice notes were circulating on social media, warning South-East residents to remain indoors on December 2, saying that Biafra would be declared on that day.
Ejiofor said those still clinging to the baseless December declaration should be rest assured that December will come and go uneventfully.
