ENUGU, Nigeria – The Enugu State Government has issued a stern warning to schools and markets that are adhering to an unauthorized one-week sit-at-home order, stating that it will shut down any school or market that fails to operate normally.
The warning came through a statement signed by Professor Chidiebere Onyia, the Secretary to the State Government.
Certain schools and businesses in Enugu State did not open on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in what appears to be compliance with a sit-at-home order issued by Simon Ekpa, a Biafra agitator based in Finland.
This is happening even though the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, stated that it did not issue any sit-at-home order.
In response, the Enugu State Government has taken a tough stance against those complying with Ekpa’s directive.
The statement from the Enugu State Government reads in part: “The Enugu State Government is alarmed and dismayed by this development and hereby warns that any school that fails to open and function normally from today will have its license revoked immediately.”
This warning is also extended to market unions and shop owners, mandating them to open for business or face indefinite shutdowns.
The government emphasized that the illegal sit-at-home order is contrary to the values of the Igbo people such as hard work, creativity, and productivity.
They further urged the public to carry on with their daily activities and assured them that adequate security measures have been taken to ensure the protection of lives and property.
The statement highlighted the government’s resolve to not tolerate any unauthorized orders from faceless groups that disrupt the normal way of life.
The government also cautioned that it would make use of legal instruments, including the Cybercrime Act 2015, to prosecute individuals, groups, or organizations that are intentionally supporting the illegal sit-at-home order, spreading fake news, or creating public disturbance through social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter.
The government clarified that this measure is not aimed at infringing on citizens’ freedom of speech and information as stipulated in the constitution, but rather to maintain law and order.
