The proposed nationwide hunger and end bad governance protest by some Nigerian groups is yet to begin in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN Correspondents who monitored the situation in Akwa, Enugu Ebonyi and Nsukka report that as at 9 a.m, there were scanty vehicular and pedestrian movements in some major roads and streets in the state capital.
NAN reports that many residents remained indoors while major markets, malls and banks were closed.
At the popular Holy Ghost/Ogbete Market, little economic activities were going on around the motor parks while some banks were shut apparently for the fear of the protest.
There were also heavy presence of security agencies at the strategic location in the state capital to maintain peace and other.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman, Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu Chapter, Mr Ambrose Igboke, it was too early to judge if there would be a protest in Enugu or not.
He said, “From what we have seen so far, there was cautious movement around Enugu. People are being cautious, the streets are empty for now as they try to check the situation to know whether they will come out or not.
“For now, there are no signs of protest anywhere in Enugu or people converging for protest either as an itinerant by procession or protest in a particular location.
“From all indication, people of the South-East are not showing much interest because of the historical of ethnic jingoistic over the past few weeks that it was Igbo protest orchestrated because Peter Obi lost the Presidential Election,” Igboke said.
A youth, Chibueze Ugwu, told NAN that he lost interest in the protest because of the way they treated Igbos in Nigeria.
“Who want to die for nothing and besides, a hungry person does not protest.
“Apart from that, we have been protesting through our usual Monday Sit at Home, so we do not need to storm the streets to expressway our grievances,” he said.
It was a similar situation in Nsukka as there were skeletal activities and movement in Nsukka town and environs as at 11a.m on Thursday.
Some shops, markets, business centres opened while banks closed their gates for customers.
Few commercial buses, tricycles and motorcycles as well as few people were seen on the roads.
Police patrol vans from Nsukka Police Area Command were seen patrolling around the town.
In Awka, Anambra capital, there was no gathering of people or protesters seen anywhere as banks were shut, businesses operate low scale in the capital city amidst the planned protest.
NAN also reports that filling stations in the town were equally closed to business while intra-city commercial transport operations were normal.
However, the popular Aromma junction was busy with computer service providers, PoS operators and other small businesses operated with caution.
A resident, who wished to be identified as Chijioke, described the situation in Awka as “peaceful”.
Chijioke said the low key activities were because people were afraid of insecurity even though they would have loved to go about their normal businesses.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr Nnaghe Itam commended the residents of the state for their peaceful and calm conduct so far.
Itam assured them of the safety of lives and property and urged the people to go about their normal businesses.
In Ebonyi State capital, Abakaliki, banks and major markets were shut while few people were seen going about their normal businesses.
A mother-of-three, Mrs. Anthonia Abam, expressed delight that children were on holidays so she did not have to panic about her children’s whereabouts especially those in the boarding schools. (NAN)
