By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The cities of Onitsha and Nnewi in Anambra State were deserted on Monday as residents observed a voluntary stay-at-home in solidarity with the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja.
Unlike previous sit-at-home orders, the lockdown saw total compliance, major roads, markets, schools, banks, and eateries were shut, while there was no human or vehicular movement throughout the cities.
Though no physical protests occurred, residents reportedly stayed indoors due to the heavy military presence seen a day earlier.
A local youth, Ebuka Ikechukwu, said many wanted to join the protest but received no directive from local leaders. “Maybe they see it as an Abuja affair,” he added.
Viral videos showed a few youths praising activist Omoyele Sowore for leading the Abuja protest and faulting Igbo leaders for their silence over Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention.
