The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has cautioned against forceful threats to resident of the state to comply with the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB.
The Governor said he would take proactive steps to ensure that people are not forced against their wish or children stopped from going to schools.
Following the reasons for the lockdown, which boils down to the release of the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, Governor Ikpeazu, promised to ensure that Kanu’s
fundamental rights to be respected in the ongoing Ikpeazu, promised to trial at the Federal High Court Abuja.
The Commissioner for information of the state, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, in a signed statement said The statement reads:
“The Abia State Government is confident that the judiciary will ensure a free and manifestly fair trial for him and others as they remain innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said.
“We, therefore, wish to call on all citizens and visitors to continue to be law abiding and avoid any act that might lead to a breakdown of law and order.
“While the government will not compel anyone wishing to sit at home for any reason whatsoever not to do so, we wish to strongly advise that nobody should also compel or enforce any sit-at-home order from any non-state actor as doing so does not serve any known interests of the people of the state.
“Furthermore, compelling our children to stay away from schools can only serve the interests of the yet-to-be properly identified persons who may not want to see us make progress as a people.
“Similarly, our traders sitting at home at a time they need to work very hard to sustain their families and create wealth especially in this era of COVID-19 impacted global economy will obviously not serve any development interest of our hardworking citizens.
“All law abiding citizens and visitors are therefore called upon to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation as adequate security has been provided to ensure their safety.
“Parents and guardians are also called upon to ensure that they monitor the activities of their children and wards with a view to ensuring that they do not engage in unlawful activities that will put them in harm’s way”.Abia government has been receiving regular updates with his family members, other relevant persons and institutions.
The statement reads:
“The Abia State Government is confident that the judiciary will ensure a free and manifestly fair trial for him and others as they remain innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said.
“We, therefore, wish to call on all citizens and visitors to continue to be law abiding and avoid any act that might lead to a breakdown of law and order.
“While the government will not compel anyone wishing to sit at home for any reason whatsoever not to do so, we wish to strongly advise that nobody should also compel or enforce any sit-at-home order from any non-state actor as doing so does not serve any known interests of the people of the state.
“Furthermore, compelling our children to stay away from schools can only serve the interests of the yet-to-be properly identified persons who may not want to see us make progress as a people.
“Similarly, our traders sitting at home at a time they need to work very hard to sustain their families and create wealth especially in this era of COVID-19 impacted global economy will obviously not serve any development interest of our hardworking citizens.
“All law abiding citizens and visitors are therefore called upon to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation as adequate security has been provided to ensure their safety.
“Parents and guardians are also called upon to ensure that they monitor the activities of their children and wards with a view to ensuring that they do not engage in unlawful activities that will put them in harm’s way”.
Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News / August 8, 2021
