History repeated itself today, Monday, the 16th of August, 2021 in the ancient town of Nnewi, Nnewi North, Anambra State, Nigeria as residents of Nnewi maintained the second phase of the Monday weekly sit-at-home in solidarity with the quest for a quickest and fairest trial for the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),Mazi Nnamdi Kanu despite the earlier suspension of the directive.
Nnewi recorded huge compliance as all the major markets in the town namely;New Auto Motorcycle Spare Parts Dealers Association (NASPA /Machine Parts), Agbo Edo New Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association ( AMSPDA), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu Electrical and Electronics Markets, Fairly Used Motorcycle Dealers Association (( FUMDA/MGBUKA), Building and Plumbing Materials Market, Agbo Edo Relief Market and a host of others were all under lock and key.
The local government secretariat and various departments were completely deserted as staff were nowhere to be found.
Although, there was skeletal trading activities in the popular _Eke Amobi Market. A trader in the market who gave her name as Ms Onwuegbuna said: ” I came to fend for myself by displaying my goods even though the market is not booming as usual, today is Afor. Yet neither Afor Nnobi nor Nwafor Uruagu is on session, I am here but i stand firmly with our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu against the injustices metted out on the Igbos”.
Also, a resident of Ekene junction area of Otolo Nnewi who gave his name as Mazi Lucky who is a commercial motorcyclist (okada) expressed; “It is true that there is a contrary news that the sit- at – home was suspended but i alongside my friends decided to still maintain the status quo until Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released. I appeal to Ohaneze Ndigbo to facilitate our quest for Independence and i advise all Ndigbo to join forces and work with team spirit for us to triumph”
WAP contacted Bro. Dennis Ikegwuonu (Chairman of AMSPDA) through a phone call who simply said” We are peacefully indoors, all traders are at home because there is no trading activities in Nnewi today”
Similarly, WAP gathered almost the same affirmative responses for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to be freed from people of different quarters of Nnewi. Mr. Obiora Mbelu submitted:” Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has done nothing wrong, he has only spoken out against relegation of Igbos to the background by the Nigerian government, his freedom is of Paramount interest to all Igbos”
As for lady Choice Daniel, a resident of Abubor Nnewichi, “i am in my house cleaning up because there’s no business activities today. My friends advised me to stay indoors. There is no movement of commercial buses. People are scared of last week’s experience where people lost their lives.I suggest that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be freed, i deserve freedom so do he”
Mr. Edokwe, a stakeholder from Uruagu Nnewi said:” NASPA and other markets are locked but people and vehicles are moving about peacefully”
WAP reliably gathered that ndi Nnewi are sympathising with the leader of IPOB, Mazi Kanu as they are seen in various groups discussing on mapping out more peaceful strategies to achieve their objective.
A tour to the Local Government Secretariat, filling stations, block industries, banks,etc show pictures of deserted areas.
Today’s situation in Nnewi is calm and peaceful as neither casualties nor death, fracas of any kind resulted compared to the maiden sit-at- home exactly a week ago which recorded assault, several deaths, destruction of public properties, panic, incitement and other vices.
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