Residents of the South-east region of Nigeria have shunned the nationwide protest against economic hardship and insecurity that began on Thursday.
The protest, scheduled to last until 10 August, failed to hold across the South-east states of Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi.
According to Premium Times, in Enugu, reporters observed minimal human and vehicular movements throughout the city on Thursday.
Many street shops, banks, and petrol stations did not open for business. Although the popular Ogbete Main Market, the largest market in the state, was open, many shops remained shut. Most residents stayed indoors, reflecting a sense of apprehension.
Chinyere Edeh, a food vendor in Enugu, explained to PREMIUM TIMES that residents were not interested in the protest due to fears of being targeted by Nigerian security agencies. “If we protest now, you will see some persons being killed, but others in other parts of the country will not be treated like that,” Ms. Edeh said in Igbo language. “So, everyone is afraid.”
In Imo State, the situation was markedly different. Ben Okolo, a resident of Owerri, the state capital, noted that the city was in lockdown. “No protest here. Everyone is inside,” Mr. Okolo said. He suggested that the protest did not occur due to the recent shootings by gunmen suspected of enforcing a controversial sit-at-home order in the area. “Since Monday, there have been shootings everywhere in Imo,” he said. Another resident, Chijioke Nwakamma, confirmed the absence of protests in the Okigwe Area, attributing it to the fear generated by the recent violence. “The truth of the matter is that the people are scared because, if you notice, for the past three days, gunmen have been burning vehicles here,” Mr. Nwakamma said.
In Anambra State, residents also stayed indoors. Arinze Ajaezu, a shop owner at Onitsha Main Market, mentioned that he returned home due to the lack of activity in the market. “There was no protest. But everywhere was deserted,” he said. Dennis Emmanuel, another resident, noted that banks and other businesses did not open. “Everywhere has been scanty since morning. But some people are beginning to open their shops now,” he said around 3 p.m. in the Nkpor Area.
Similar scenes were observed in Ebonyi State. Ifeanyi Nwigwe, a resident of Abakaliki, stated that although there was no protest, businesses were shut down. “I am in the market now,” Mr. Nwigwe, a shop owner at Abakaliki International Market, reported.
In Abia State, the situation mirrored that of other South-east states. Victor Akuma, a resident of the Aba Area, confirmed that the protest did not take place. “Everywhere is calm. No protest,” Mr. Akuma said. Emmanuel Nwazue, a journalist based in Umuahia, the state capital, noted that shops and banks did not open for business. “But there was nothing like protest,” Mr. Nwazue stated.
Overall, the anticipated nationwide protest against economic hardship and insecurity was conspicuously absent in Nigeria’s South-east, with fear and recent violence deterring residents from participating.
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