Economic and social activities were paralyzed in Abia State on Monday as residents observed a stay-at-home order in solidarity with the protest demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The directive, reportedly initiated by pro-Biafra groups, kept major cities such as Umuahia and Aba unusually quiet, with streets largely deserted and businesses under lock and key.
In the state capital, Umuahia, schools, banks, and offices remained closed throughout the day. Markets and transport terminals were also deserted as residents stayed indoors for fear of possible unrest. At the popular Umuahia-Aba Road and Isi Gate areas, only a handful of vehicles were seen moving, while police and military patrol vans were stationed at major intersections to ensure order and prevent any outbreak of violence.
A similar situation was witnessed in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, where major markets like Ariaria International Market, Shopping Centre, and Cemetery Market did not open for business. Transport activities were minimal, and the few commercial tricycles operating within the city charged higher fares due to limited movement. Residents described the day as one of total compliance, noting that even food vendors and roadside traders avoided public places.
Security agencies, including the Nigerian Army and police, were on high alert to monitor developments across the state. Patrol teams were spotted at major entry and exit points, particularly around Aba-Owerri Road, Osisioma Junction, and Umuahia’s Okpara Square. The Abia State Police Command assured residents of safety, warning against any form of violence or intimidation. Despite the heavy presence of security operatives, the day remained largely peaceful.
According to reports from Umuahia, some residents chose to stay indoors as a precaution. A civil servant, identified as Chika, reportedly said it was safer to remain at home because “you never know when things might turn violent. ”Another resident in Aba noted that the protest signified the rising frustration among citizens over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
The stay-at-home protest followed renewed calls from pro-Biafra supporters urging the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021. Kanu’s lawyers have repeatedly demanded his unconditional release, citing court rulings that reportedly ordered his freedom. Monday’s peaceful lockdown once again underscored the influence of pro-Biafra sentiment across the South-East, as residents continue to use civil disobedience to express their grievances.