Tension in Enugu as government battles to enforce stop sit-at-home order

Juliana Francis

The Enugu State Government is battling to ensure that citizens in the state stop complying with the Monday sit-at-home order in the state.  This action has been met with stiff resistance from the citizens, especially traders.

Citizens fear the bandits enforcing the Monday sit-at-home than the government.  The resistance by the citizens to the government order underscores the fact that the people do not trust that the government can protect them from the marauding bandits that had been troubling the state, enforcing sit-at-home order.

The situation has created tension in the state and came to a head on Wednesday as government forces tried to shut down shops of traders who complied with the sit-at-home order, despite a government warning that they should jettison such order.

While resisting the government’s move, one person was said to have been shot dead at Ogbete Main Market.

The Secretary to Enugu State Government( SSG), Professor Chidiebere Onyia, reacting to the incident, said: “Information available to Government shows that traders whose shops were sealed for non-compliance with Government’s order banning Monday sit-at-home, defied the instruction on how the shops should be re-opened and resorted to self-help by removing the seals. This led to internal squabbles between the market leadership and some of the affected traders.

“The ensuing confrontation resulted in a protest, which was infiltrated and hijacked by dangerously armed hoodlums and miscreants, who broke shops and looted traders’ wares.

“Attempt by security operatives to restore order and prevent further looting was violently resisted by the imported and armed hoodlums. The government is receiving further briefings on the development.

“In the meantime, investigation to unravel the circumstance surrounding the incident, including the reports of casualty, is already ongoing.  Government calls on the people and residents of Enugu to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses, as adequate security measures are in place to secure lives and property in the State.”