MASSOB declares support for IPOB's sit-at-home order

Residents of Abia state and its neighbours are reportedly living in serious fear following a statement credited to a faction of
the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) declaring support for the sit-at-home order from the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB’s order is to be implemented on Friday, September 23 in spite of an alleged heavy presence of security operatives and the arrest of some agitators on Thursday, September 22.
MASSOB members during one of their protests
MASSOB’s statement issued by factional leader Uchenna Madu reportedly reported in panic buying of foodstuff and other commodities as fear of violence grew across Abia, a city in the state.
The Sun reports that the two organisations championing the fight for independence of Biafra, ordered their members as well as residents of the entire south-eastern states to stay back home.
They also ordered markets and business activities shut while the order subsisted in favour of their agitation.
The groups’ branches in Anambra state, also rebuffed the warning by the police command in the state that they should not protest.
In a statement issued in Enugu, MASSOB reportedly said: “We shall continue to collaborate and partner with every positive move and steps that will effect the release of our comrades in different prisons and detention camps in Nigeria.
“The call for stay at home which has been our recalling measure and step for effective civil disobedience is totally voluntary, this exercise has always been the life wire of the Biafra struggle.
The groups said one of the reasons for this new action is to protest the continued detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu
“The request for closure of markets, public/private motor parks, schools and other public business premises is voluntary, not by force, it is a mark of respect and love for our fatherland.
“As a non violent organisation, Biafrans shall not be compelled or forced to observe the stay at home exercise.
“MASSOB, IPOB and other pro Biafra groups will not molest, compel or intimidate anybody to observe the stay at home exercise as all our members shall stay indoors, there shall be no physical demonstration, street march, procession or any other public function tomorrow in Biafra land.
“The heavy presence of armed Nigeria Army, Mobile police, SSS operatives, Navy, Civil Defence in major cities of Biafraland since yesterday are signs of panic and fear.
“The presence of soldiers across Biafra land will assist immensely and positively for the people to comply with our demands.”
Celeski.blogspot.co.ke earlier reported that ahead of the planned protest by IPOB in the south east region, the five-day standing committee of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion to be attended by 170 bishops was forced to end abruptly.