Four-day Lockdown Looms In South-East As Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Resumes

There are indications that South-east residents may be forced to observe a four-day lockdown from Monday, as the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s treason trial is set to resume at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Mr Kanu is scheduled to appear in court from January 18 to January 20.

IPOB, an outlawed group leading the agitation for the creation of an independent state, Biafra, from Nigeria’s South-east and part of South-south, had suspended its earlier Monday’s sit-at-home order, in preference for it (the order) to be implemented only on the days Mr Kanu appear in court.

The region is likely going to observe the sit-at-home order on the affected days, in addition to the Monday’s, despite it being suspended.

The court, in November, adjourned the trial of Mr Kanu to January after Mr Kanu’s lawyers staged a walk-out. The lawyers had accused the Nigeria’s Secret police, SSS, of preventing them from entering the courtroom.

Despite its suspension, residents of the five South-east states – Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, and Abia – have continued to observe the Monday sit-at-home order, mostly out of fear.

Some residents and motorists have been attacked lately in the region by gunmen for stepping out of their homes on Monday in ‘violation’ of the ‘suspended’ order.

-Premium Times