Awka, the capital of Anambra State, was on Friday morning devoid of the characteristic hustle and bustle despite the termination of the stay-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Major highways and streets of the city were deserted by residents. Also deserted were offices, eateries and bus terminals.
Most of the vehicles seen plying the ever busy Onitsha-Enugu road were those of security operatives who are believed to be on election duty in the State.
There were only a few commercial buses and tricycles.
The popular UNIZIK Junction and Aroma area of the city were devoid of the usual hustling and bustling they are known for.
Spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful had on Thursday night announced a call-off of the one week stay-at-home order, to enable residents of the State participate in Saturday’s governorship election.
Nonetheless, the fear already instilled in residents persisted as commercial vehicles deserted the roads, while banks, markets, shops and schools did not open on Friday morning.
Commuters were stranded at Regina Junction, along the Onitsha/Enugu highway, seeking to board the few available commercial vehicles to their respective destinations.
The few food vendors who came out with food to sell were crowded by security men, as all the eateries that line the Regina Caeli Road, were under lock and key.
Armed policemen were also visibly parading major roads and adjoining streets.
A resident who gave her name simply as Ebele, said the streets are empty because not many people are aware of the cancellation of the IPOB stay-at-home order.
“You can’t blame anyone for staying away from the streets. They may not have heard of the cancellation. I only learned of it this morning myself.
“Before now, everybody knew what the order meant. Anyone who came out to defy the order to stay at home did that at his or her own peril. It was an order we must obey or we face whatever consequences that come with disobeying it,” she said.