Sit-at-Home Protest Continues in South-East, Despite Arrest of Simon Ekpa, Schools and Markets Shut

Residents in the South-East of Nigeria have continued to observe the sit-at-home protest, despite the recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, a prominent figure in the Biafran separatist movement, by Finnish authorities.

Clashes between Nigerian security forces and armed groups affiliated with the separatist cause persisted in the region’s five states. The sit-at-home protests, initially called by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a form of resistance against the detention of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, continue to paralyze activities in the region. This is despite IPOB’s formal announcement that the protest had ended.

Several pro-Biafra groups, including the one led by Ekpa, have maintained the protest, demanding Kanu’s release, citing breaches of court rulings and UN resolutions. These groups accused some IPOB members who have called for the cessation of the protest of betraying their cause.

The arrest of Ekpa, which some hoped would bring an end to the protests, has not halted the observance of the sit-at-home. On Monday, many cities in the South-East saw a resurgence of the protest, with shops, markets, and schools remaining closed.

In Anambra State, a violent incident occurred when gunmen attacked personnel of the Anambra State Vigilante Service, setting their vehicle on fire along the Amesi-Uga Road in Aguata Local Government Area. The attack sent shockwaves through the community. Police responded quickly, rescuing the injured officers and securing the area.

Following the security concerns, private and mission schools in Anambra suspended classes on Mondays indefinitely. The Catholic Education Council informed parents that students would resume classes on Tuesday, with an exception for senior secondary students who will attend special lessons on Mondays and Saturdays.

This decision follows threats to attack school buses and institutions that remained open on Mondays. As a result, commercial activities were largely suspended in the state. Traders at the Awka main market closed their shops early after rumors spread of a planned attack.

The Anambra Innovation Week, which began on Monday, also experienced low participation as attendees feared for their safety. Despite this, the state’s deputy governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim, officially opened the event, with hopes for higher turnout as the week progresses.

Other cities across the region, including Enugu, Abakaliki, and Owerri, also saw reduced economic and social activities due to ongoing security threats.