Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has warned traders in the state not to comply with IPOB’s sit-at-home order slated for Monday.
The Governor threatened to strip traders who comply with the order of their shops.
Umahi issued the warning in a state-wide broadcast on Saturday in Abakaliki to mark the sixth anniversary of his administration.
It will be recalled that the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) had imposed a sit-at-home order on the people of the South-East zone.
In his address, the governor directed that all markets in the state should open for business on Monday.
He said: “There should be free movement of people in the state on Saturday, 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 said that all forms of procession had been banned in the state except those by youths organised by 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.”
