Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, witnessed a total shutdown on Monday due to a sit-at-home protest that no group has publicly claimed responsibility for. Although the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) denied involvement, the action may be linked to the ongoing detention of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Sources suggest that the two-day sit-at-home was a spontaneous mass response to the refusal of access to Kanu, whose family and legal representatives have been barred from seeing him since his last court appearance on September 24. Concerned citizens expressed that the uncertainty surrounding Kanu’s whereabouts has left them anxious and willing to support any call for action regarding his release.
Unlike previous sit-at-home protests, compliance on Monday was near-total, with streets deserted and minimal vehicular traffic. Schools remained closed as many private institutions had communicated their plans to shut down for the two days in advance. Banks also did not open, and only a handful of street shops operated.
While a police convoy, including Armored Personnel Carriers and patrol vans, was seen monitoring the situation, the city remained generally peaceful, with no reports of violence. Residents largely stayed indoors, fearing potential unrest.