On Monday, Enugu State residents took to the streets in a protest against the continuous Monday sit-at-home order in the state. The State Government, in response, moved around parts of the state capital, sealing businesses that adhered to the IPOB’s sit-at-home directive.
Governor Peter Mbah had banned the Monday sit-at-home on June 5 and urged residents to resume their legitimate activities, while also bolstering security measures across the state.
In the protest, coordinated by various Civil Society groups, residents marched through major roads and streets, displaying banners with messages advocating an end to the sit-at-home. They sang solidarity songs in support of Governor Mbah and against the ongoing Monday shutdown.
Rev. Emmanuel Ede, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Enugu, praised the protest as “heartwarming,” indicating that residents were no longer comfortable with the forced sit-at-home every Monday.
Onyinye Mammah, Executive Director of Heroine Women Foundation and one of the coordinators explained that the decision to protest was prompted by the adverse impact of the continued Monday sit-at-home on the state’s economy and the entire Southeast region.
To enforce the governor’s directive, officials of the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) sealed businesses that refused to open. Notably, shops at Spar and Polo Malls were among those sealed.
As a result of the protest and the government’s efforts, major markets in the state, including Ogbete main market, New Market, Kenyetta, and Artisan markets, opened with several traders resuming their businesses.
Additionally, there was an improvement in vehicular movement in the city center, with increased security checkpoints manned by soldiers, DSS, and Mobile Police Officers.
