30/05/2017, Imo stands still.

In Imo State, all markets in Owerri, filling stations, fast food outlets, schools and commercial banks remained under lock and key in compliance with the sit-at-home directive. Food vendors, sachet water hawkers, shoe shiners and even barrow pushers were equally off the streets. As a way of consolidating the order, IPOB loyalists mounted the Biafran flag and other insignia at strategic locations across the state and warned well-established transport companies and school proprietors to respect the order.

Armed security personnel were either seen patrolling or permanently stationed at strategic locations within and outside Owerri municipality. Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, also, moved round the city to appeal to businessmen in Owerri to defy the order and open their shops in the largely deserted streets of the metropolis. As at 11.51am, the governor was heading towards Amakohia in Owerri North local government area, possibly to see things for himself.

This was even as the Anglican Bishop of Okigwe South, Rt. Rev. David Onuoha, condemned the brutality meted out to Biafra agitators. Delivering a 92-page presidential address at the third session of the 8th Synod, held at St. Stephen’s Church, Umuduru Egwelle in Ehime Mbano Local Council Area of the state, Bishop Onuoha said:
“We strongly condemn the brutality with which the law enforcement agencies follow any demonstration or activity of this group.”

While insisting that “violence has no place at all, in finding solution to any problem,” the Bishop, however, advised the Federal Government to commission a dialogue with the various groups associated with the Biafra project, “with a view to understanding why this idea seems to be getting fresh and strong by the day, 47 years after the end of the civil war.”

He also, asked the government to immediately address what he termed “the obvious injustice, marginalization, sufferings and hardship which the South East geopolitical zone has been subjected to since after the war,” pointing out that force had no place in winning ideological wars.