Sit-at-home: Schools, banks, markets shut as insecurity heightens in Imo

Owerri, the Imo State capital, was a shadow of itself on Monday as banks, schools, marketplaces, and other business outlets were completely shut owing to heightened insecurity in the state. A large number of residents also stayed indoors for fear of being attacked.

The recent attack on Otoko Divisional Police Headquarters in the Obowo Local Government Area of the state at about 3 am on Monday caused panic in the state and further made people not to open their businesses. This came after a notice was penultimate week passed at different corners in the state ordering people to, henceforth, observe the Monday sit-at-home order.

The youths were seen playing football on a major road on Monday in Owerri, others gathered in their neighborhoods to drink and discuss contemporary issues, especially the second leg World Cup play-off match between Nigeria and Ghana, which is billed for Abuja on Tuesday. Though the state government and police in the state had last week countered the order, our correspondent observed that both public and private schools, banks, and business enterprises remained closed on Monday.

A trader, who does not want to be mentioned, said “We are sitting at home today because the days are dangerous. It is better to sit at home and be safe than to open for business and be harmed. The earlier this is resolved the better for our state.

“The economy is shrinking and people are getting frustrated because of the state of the economy. Our children are at home today and we can’t even make withdrawals in the bank because they are shut.”