As some pro-Biafra groups marked the 50th anniversary of Biafra, the police and other security agents monitored events in towns, such as Onitsha, Anambra, and Aba in Abia, to ensure event did not get out of hand.
According to reports from Onitsha and other parts of the Southeast on Tuesday, banks, schools, markets and government offices remained closed.
Also, transporters withdrew their services, while the police, army, navy and personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps )NSCDC) stationed themselves at strategic points in the town.
The security personnel were stationed at Upper Iweka, DMSGS Roundabout, MCC, FEGGE, Onitsha Bridgehead and 33 areas, among others.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Anambra, Mr Sam Okaula, said no incident had been reported in any part of the state at noon.
“No incident of crisis that is noteworthy has been reported apart from pockets of reports where some hoodlums tried to hijack the process by burning tyres on road.
“They have been dispersed while some persons were arrested. Besides, that, the area is generally calm and there is no cause for alarm,” Okaula, who was on patrol in Onitsha, told NAN.
Meanwhile, Mr Dede Uzor, the National Publicity Secretary of Campaign for Democracy, commended the agitators for maintaining law and order.
Uzor also commended security operatives for “the mature manner they handled the situation.
“The Igbos have exercised their right by staying away from their businesses as mark of honour to those, who died during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, 50 years after; and this they did peacefully.
“I think they should be commended for their peaceful conduct and the security operates for their mature manner of handling the situation,” the activist said.
Travellers from Asaba to Onitsha were stranded as no commercial vehicles ventured to the commercial city.
The Asaba-Onitsha highway was lonely as buses avoided the road while few private vehicles were sited on the road.
Commercial vehicles from Benin and beyond heading to Onitsha parked by the roadside and many filling stations along the highway remained closed.
A heavily armed police detachment from the Police Command in Delta was stationed at the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge.
Some soldiers at the bridge head post were also on guard.
Policemen also guarded strategic points in Asaba, while the Abraka Food Market, one kilometre from the Niger Bridge, and shops at the nearby motor spare-parts market remained closed.
However, banks, government offices, and the Ogbe-Ogonogo Market in Asaba remained open for business.
Residents of Enugu also obeyed the sit-at-home call with few vehicles on the roa
d.
At the Ogbette Main Market and Motor Spare Parts Market in Coal Camp, some traders, who shut their shops, discussed the situation in hushed tones.
At some government establishments, including the state secretariat, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board and Independent National Electoral Commission offices, only a handful of workers reported for work.
Some public schools, including Urban Secondary School, Independence Layout and Institute of Management and Technology as well as Enugu State College of Education (Technical), were also empty.
In Aba, all the five markets including Ariaria International Market, were shut, while roads in the commercial city were devoid of vehicular traffic.
The military, police and NSCDC mounted joint patrols in strategic areas and also stationed Armoured Personnel Carriers in volatile areas of the city.
Also, the police carried out aerial surveillance in police helicopters hovering over the city.
Some Aba residents expressed satisfaction with compliance to the call.
A resident, Mr Azubuike Ibe said the compliance had demonstrated unity among the Igbos.
“I am happy for this total compliance because since we were children, no government has ever given us this feeling of oneness.
“But today, we are seeing this; we are happy and thank God for it. It shows that Igbos will progress from now on,” he said.
Another resident, Mr Kelechi Nkemdirim, said the people were marking the 50th anniversary of Biafra and also mourned those who sacrificed their lives during the Nigerian civil war.
‘’I am happy that all Igbos have come to realise the importance of the day and given it the attention it deserves,’’ Nkemdirim said
