Some angry youths have blamed the Imo State Government for shutting down some banks in the state over their failure to open to business on Monday in view of the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra
Most of the banks in the state allegedly disregarded the state government’s directive for fear of being attacked by members of IPOB.
The Imo State Government, on Tuesday, in reaction to failure by the banks to disregard IPOB’s sit-at-home on Monday, ordered their shut down for non-compliance.
IPOB’s sit-at-home had been enforced since the extradition and trial of the leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, Nigerian pro-Biafra political activist, in June.
Kanu, who is standing trial before Justice Binta Nyako for terrorism-related charges, has since been remanded in the custody of the DSS in Abuja.
IPOB had, since August, declared every Monday sit-at-home in the South-East to demand the release of its leader.
State governments in the South-Eastern states had directed that businesses should run with residents going about their daily activities without interference.
It was learnt that bank customers were stranded on Tuesday morning as the banks remained closed.
Bank Road in Owerri was bereft of the usual hustle and bustle as officials of the state government were out to enforce the orders.
Officials from the Owerri Capital Development Authority, were said to have sealed the affected banks with customised ribbons as early as 7am.
Reacting to the state government’s closure of the affected banks, some people said that the banks were faultless as they took the step in the best interest of their staff, businesses and customers.
Abiodun Oderinde described government’s action as too bad while a social media user, who identified himself with an alias, Military Station, queried, “So, they were supposed to open and risk their lives?”
Kingsley Vincent said, “That’s madness…for their own lives again?”
However, official comment could not be obtained as of the time of filing this report as the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, did not respond to calls.
