IPOB issues sit-at-home order as Buhari visits Abia

The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday evening asked all the members of group within the Aba metropolis to observe a mini sit-at-home ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the city.

A release by the spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, asked IPOB members to be indoors from 6am till 4pm.

Powerful, while warning its members to stay away from any political activity on Tuesday, said their desire was to ensure a total boycott of Buhari’s campaign with the hope he (Buhari) would meet an empty stadium.

Meanwhile, our reporter who monitored the mood of the town Monday evening, reports that security has been beefed-up within the commercial city.

Sources from various security agencies stated that the President would use the opportunity of his visit to commission the Ariaria International power project of the federal government executed through the Rural Electrification Agency before addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Security as at Monday evening has been beefed up around the Ariaria Power project with the Ariaria International Market expected to be shut for commercial and business activities as a mark of respect for the visit of the president.

The commissioner of Police and heads of various security agencies, were said to have arrived Aba Monday afternoon to put finishing touches to security arrangements.

Reacting on the press release by the IPOB leadership, a head of one of the security agencies in the state, who preferred anonymity urged members of the public to disregard IPOB’s order to go about their lawful duties.

He warned any group of persons who tries to disrupt the peace in Aba to rethink their actions as they would not watch anyone cause breach of peace in the state and Aba in particular.