The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has warned that Traders in the State, who comply with the Monday sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, for May 31, should be ready to forfeit their shops,
Governor Umahi issued the warning in a Statewide broadcast, in Abakaliki, the State capital, to mark the 6th anniversary of his administration.
He directed that all Markets in the State must open for business on Monday.
Governor Umahi said exactly: “There should be free movement of people in the State, on Sunday, Monday, and other days of the year.
“People should go to Church on Sunday, to pray for the nation’s fallen Security Agents, civilians, and peace and unity of the State and country.
“I challenge the youths, Local Government Area Chairmen, Security Agents, Ebebeagu Security Outfit, among others, to ensure that no one is molested in the State.
“Anyone who has nothing to protect himself should do so with cutlass, which should be for protection and not for attack.”
He stated that all forms of procession have been banned in the State, except those by youths organised by Local Government Council Chairmen.
“I have been notified about such processions, and they are being used to profile our people for empowerment.
I charge the Ebubeagu Security outfit, which is backed by the State laws, to ensure that the people are protected.”
He stressed that the State cannot afford to go into a “second slavery under any guise”, pointing out that “the secession the people need is massive economic development.
“There will be movement in other parts of the country, if there is none in the South-East, so people should therefore, ignore such order.
“Ebonyi people are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for all his assistance, and if people do not see his goodness, he has been good to us.”
He urged parents and relevant Stakeholders to advise the youths to toe the path of peaceful co-existence, and not depend on the illusionary influences of hard drugs and fetish powers.
