Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has revealed that state authorities will not force anyone to disobey the sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The governor made this known in a statement issued Friday by Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the Honorable Commissioner for Information, who noted that citizens have the right to stay in their homes or go about their legitimate business.
IPOB had announced a sit-at-home for every Monday from August 9, 2021 until its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be released from DSS custody.
“Government will not compel anyone wishing to sit at home for any reason whatsoever not to do so, as citizens have freedom of movement under the extant Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” said the government.
“We wish to strongly advice that nobody should also compel or enforce any sit at home order from any non state actor as doing so does not serve any known interests of the people of the state.”
“Furthermore, compelling our children to stay away from school can only serve the interests of the yet to be properly identified persons who may not want to see us make progress as a people.
“Similarly, our traders sitting at home at a time they need to work very hard to sustain their families and create wealth especially in this era of COVID-19 impacted global economy will obviously not serve any development interest of our hardworking citizens.
“All law abiding citizens and visitors are therefore called upon to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation as adequate security has been provided to ensure their safety.
“Parents and guardians are also called upon to ensure that they monitor the activities of their children and wards with a view to ensuring that they do not engage in unlawful activities that will put them in harm’s way,” the statement received by OAK METRO, said further.