Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Janet Agbede, has urged the residents of the state to ignore the order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) asking people in the South-East to stay home every Monday beginning from August 9 till Nnamdi Kanu is released.
The commissioner said her office in collaboration with other security agencies were working to ensure that residents were free to go about their normal businesses without fear of harassment or intimidation.
The CP in a statement she personally endorsed vowed that the security forces would subdue any group of hoodlums trying to disrupt the peace the people of the state are enjoying.
The police boss said such orders were unconstitutional as they infringe on the fundamental human right of free movement and would hurt people who depend on daily income.
“There are rumours circulating in the state that members of the proscribed indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) have resolved to commence a sit-at-home on every ‘Mondays’ with effect from Monday 9 August 2021.
“The story has it that they have arranged to use their militant arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN) to force compliance. We’re aware that the majority of the citizens depend on daily income for their survival. The sit-at-home will negatively impact the economy of the state and individual pocket.
“These intended actions against those that are not willing to sit-at-home constitute acts likely to cause a breach of the peace and also infringe on their fundamental human rights,” she said.
The Commissioner of Police, therefore, advised parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against participating in any activity, including social media activities capable of stirring action likely to cause a breach of the peace in the state.
