People had already prepared for the protest slated to hold from today, Friday till next Wednesday by buying and stockpiling their needs to last them for the period.

In spite of the cancellation of the one-week sit-at-home protest earlier ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to demand the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, many residents still boycotted business activities on Friday, according to SaharaReporters.

People had already prepared for the protest slated to hold from today, Friday till next Wednesday by buying and stockpiling their needs to last them for the period.

Major markets had remained open till late Thursday evening to allow shoppers to make last-minute purchases.

The unprecedented hustle and bustle had created gridlocks in the Enugu metropolis.

On Friday, it was learnt that schools, offices, markets, motor parks, restaurants, abattoirs, filling stations, banks and other public institutions were shut to the public. 

Federal, state and local government offices were included.

Also, there has been an influx of persons from Anambra State which is on red alert on account of its governorship election coming up Saturday.

In Imo State, business activities were not encouraging as a few people could be seen in shops and markets, while roads were largely deserted.

A resident of Owerri, Imo state capital, Chibundu Ochegbu told SaharaReporters that people got the news of the cancellation of sit-at-home directive late from IPOB. 

He said this might have caused the dull social and economic activities on Friday morning. 

“I think people got the news late. A lot of people did not know on time that IPOB cancelled the sit-at-home last night. So this is responsible for the slow activities of doing business. 

“Only a few people are doing business and roads are empty. But, I believe people will start going out when they are aware the sit-at-home no longer holds,” Ochegbu said. 

SaharaReporters learnt that the situation is calm for now as there has not been any report of violence anywhere. 

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