ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Nigerian Senate has voted against the motion seeking the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from detention.
The motion, presented by Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West), aimed to address the recurring sit-at-home orders imposed by unknown gunmen in the South-East region.
In the motion, Senator Izunaso, along with other lawmakers from the South-East, expressed concern over the loss of thousands of innocent lives and the destruction of properties worth over a trillion Naira since the commencement of the sit-at-home actions.
The economic impact has been severe, resulting in investors withdrawing from the region.
Senator Izunaso stated: “The sit-at-home civil disobedience actions in the South-East have led to the disruption and destruction of economic activities, causing immeasurable financial losses for businesses, workers, and the local economy.
“When people are forced to stay at home and businesses remain closed, productivity declines, income is reduced, and livelihoods suffer.”
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He also highlighted the negative impact on education, healthcare, transportation, and waste disposal services due to the prolonged disruptions caused by the sit-at-home protests.
“Disturbed that disruption of essential public services continues to have a severe impact during these protests, adversely affecting the well-being and safety of the general population in the South-East,” added Senator Izunaso.
In August 2021, IPOB declared a sit-at-home order every Monday in the South-East to protest the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
While the separatist group eventually suspended the order, a faction led by Simon Ekpa has continued to enforce sit-at-home orders in the region, despite the suspension by Kanu’s faction.
The consequences have been difficult for residents in the five South-East states—Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, and Anambra; as they have faced violence and attacks by gunmen enforcing the illegal order for stepping out on Mondays and other days in violation of the order.