Governor David Umahi has urged residents of Ebonyi state to defy the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sit-at-home order and defend themselves if they are ever attacked.
IPOB, a secessionist group, declared a sit-in in the south-east region from May 29 to 31.
Umahi, who warned that traders who obeyed the sit-at-home order on Monday, May 31, would lose their businesses, urged those without weapons to obtain cutlasses for self-defense.
In a state-wide broadcast on Saturday, May 29, to commemorate the sixth anniversary of his administration, Governor Umahi also directed that all markets, shops, and offices reopen on Monday.
The statement read;
![[FILES] IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in court](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Nnamdi-Kanu-in-Court-120x86.jpg "IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu fails to regain freedom at Supreme Court 1")
“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 chairman, 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.”
Except for those organized by council chairmen, all forms of procession had been banned in the state.
The statement added;
“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.
“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,”
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