The separatist group declared May 30 as a sit-at-home day across Nigeria’s five South-East states, warning that there would be no business activities and no movements to honor Igbo people killed during the civil war of 1967-1970.
In preparation for Biafra Heroes Day, heavy security presence and vehicles were observed in major markets and schools across Anambra State on Wednesday. Residents were seen making last-minute purchases to avoid being stranded.
Additionally, some students taking part in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination relocated to areas near their examination centers to avoid being affected by the no-movement directive issued by IPOB across the region.
Customers flocked to banks and Automated Teller Machine points to withdraw cash for purchases and to prepare for the day.
Grace Acho, a resident making quick purchases at Eke Awka Market in Awka, shared, “When I heard that markets would not open tomorrow, I took permission from work to rush here and buy some foodstuffs to prepare.
I’ve also asked my son, who has an exam tomorrow, to stay at my sister’s house near his examination center so he can walk to the venue. We just hope they are allowed to take the exam, as they are writing Mathematics, an important subject.”
“Security should be beefed up around the examination venues since it is obvious that WAEC would not shift it.”
The police spokesman in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, announced the deployment of security operatives around markets and schools in a statement on Wednesday.
Ikenga mentioned that the security operatives, under the “Operatives of Schools Protection Squad,” were led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the command’s Operations Department.
He stated that the deployment aimed to strengthen the joint security force to address any security concerns, particularly “against criminal elements enforcing illegal sit-at-home in the state” and to ensure the safety of students taking the WASSCE.
He stated, “Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Nnaghe Itam, has bolstered the existing joint security force, comprising the Army, Navy, civil defense, and other sister agencies, to address security concerns, especially regarding criminal elements enforcing illegal sit-at-home orders in the state.
“The deployment includes operatives of the Schools Protection Squad led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations Department, tasked with ensuring the safety of students in the state for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination on May 30th, 2024, nationwide.”
“The squad is equipped with appropriate assets and advanced training to effectively address security challenges in educational institutions.
“The dispatched personnel have been instructed to conduct enhanced patrols around schools and vulnerable institutions across all locations in the state.”
Efforts to obtain the reactions of the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, regarding the development were unsuccessful as she could not be reached on her mobile line.
When contacted on Wednesday, the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, reiterated that the sit-at-home directive remained sacrosanct, stating, “The Nigerian government must understand that they cannot slaughter our heroes and, at the same time, prevent us from mourning or remembering them.
“In this year’s Biafran Heroes Remembrance Day, all activities in Biafra Land are prohibited. Markets, schools, banks, government, and private businesses are not permitted to open.
“All transport services, including air, sea, and land transport, are not allowed to operate. The entire Biafra land will be under lockdown from 6 am to 6 pm on May 30, 2024.
“Exceptions to these directives are institutions and individuals on critical special duties such as nurses, doctors, ambulance services, fire services, hospitals, medical workers, and journalists.”
However, the Enugu State Government, on Wednesday, reiterated that business would proceed as usual, cautioning IPOB against disrupting the ongoing WASSCE.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aka Eze Aka, characterized the sit-at-home order by IPOB as detrimental to the future, contrary to the ideals their predecessors fought for.
He cautioned the separatist group against disrupting the general mathematics examination for students in the South-East.
Aka stated, “The Enugu State Government expresses grave concern over the statement attributed to the Indigenous People of Biafra, urging the West African Examination Council to postpone the General Mathematics (Theory and Objectives) examinations scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2024, a day designated by IPOB as ‘Biafra Heroes Day’
“We find IPOB’s statement alarming, particularly their assertion that ‘WAEC board should not endanger the lives of small children because that day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory.’
This stance is unacceptable to us, not only due to the Enugu State Government’s firm opposition to illegal sit-at-home directives, which have significantly impacted the socio-economic landscape of the South East region, but also because of the potential dire consequences of an entire generation of Enugu children missing out on fundamental subjects like Mathematics for a year.”
“WAEC, as the name implies, is a regional body organising SSCE, not just in Nigeria, but also across West Africa. The subregion will certainly not wait for us.”
Aka emphasised that the Igbo community is renowned for its industriousness and commitment to education.
He stated that any action or statement that obstructs children’s access to education, their gateway to the future, is deeply troubling.
He highlighted the sacrifices made by past generations to protect Igbo heritage and stressed that the government cannot allow the aspirations of the youth to be thwarted by misguided directives aimed at confining them to their homes.
“The Enugu State Government urges candidates participating in the ongoing SSCE in Enugu State to attend their respective examination centers without hesitation on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
“It assures them of their safety. Additionally, officials overseeing the examination process should carry out their duties without fear.
“The government has placed security agencies on high alert to safeguard lives and property. It warns that anyone or any group attempting to disrupt the SSCE on May 30, 2024, or instigate any form of unrest will be dealt with according to the law.”
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It emphasised that failure to report to their duty posts on the specified date would result in immediate dismissal in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Public Service Rules.
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