Enugu govt vows to sanction schools, banks obeying sit-at-home order

The Enugu State Government has vowed to sanction schools and banks obeying the ongoing two-day sit-at-home declared by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, stated this at a joint press conference addressed by him and security chiefs after a tour of schools, banks, and markets in Enugu on Monday, October 21, 2024.

The security chiefs are Garrison Commander, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Steven Dogo; State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Theresa Egbunu; and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Anayo Uzuegbu.

The factional leader of IPOB, Simeon Ekpa, had declared Monday and Tuesday sit-at-home in the South-East region of the country.

Onyia, however, said the state government would sanction teachers at public and private schools who decided not to show up in schools on Monday.

“This also applies to markets, businesses, financial institutions and the rest of them. We insist on zero compliance to an illegal directive,” Onyia said.

He commended the people of Enugu State for resisting the sit-at-home order by people he described as “enemies of progress”, saying the residents had shown that Enugu had since gone beyond that stage.

Enugu police to residents: Disregard Monday, Tuesday sit-at-home order

The SSG added: “Enugu is open for business and Enugu is fully engaged in assuring that private sector actors feel very comfortable coming into Enugu. So, we will not tolerate non-state actors trying to act in defiance of our clear approach to grow our economy.

“What is also important is that under this governor and government, there has been no incident on any Monday from the day the governor cancelled the illegal sit-at-home.

“Because we heard the rumours of an illegal sit-at-home directive by non-state actors, the security forces and the state government decided to move around the state to ensure that people feel safe.”

Onyia assured that the Enugu State Government would ensure more security presence if only to reassure the people, stressing that the government would visit sanctions on schools, markets, and institutions that defy the ban on sit-at-home in the state.

Speaking on behalf of other security chiefs, Uzuegbu said sit-at-home remained an aberration in Enugu State and reiterated the determination of the security agencies and the government to deal ruthlessly with troublemakers.

The police commissioner said: “So, on behalf of my colleagues, I want to assure the good people of Enugu State that their security is guaranteed. Any action of a person or persons to jeopardise the peace of the state will be ruthlessly dealt with.

“The consequences are going to be very harsh.”

The Star