From Okey Sampson, Umuahia; Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri; Aloysius Attah, Onitsha  and Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki, Jude Chinedu, Enugu

Economic and social activities came to a standstill, despite assurances by security agencies in the three states, as residents chose to remain at their homes, with banks, schools, offices, markets totally closed.

Most of the roads were deserted except for few vehicles belonging to the security agencies. Commuter buses, private and company vehicles were also not seen on the roads.

A trader who spoke to our correspondent on the reason for compliance said: “Nobody wants to fall victim to any attack. We know that the police and other security agencies have assured us of our safety, but that is not enough, we don’t want to be a victim,” he said.

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, alongside other security agencies had already stationed their vehicles at strategic places in the metropolis to avert any attack and boost the confidence of the residents on Thursday, but that was not enough to make them come out for their daily activities.

In Abia, government offices, banks, schools markets and other public institutions were closed and commercial buses and tricycle operators were off the roads.

In Anambra, from the city of Onitsha down to neighbouring towns of Nkpor, Ogidi, Obosi, Oba, Nkwele Ezunaka to Nsugbe, all roads were deserted, while vehicular and commercial activities were grounded. Aside major roads and streets, all the markets, including the popular Onitsha main market, Ochanja, Relief, Ose, Electrical, Electronics, New Auto Spare Parts, New Tyres, Old Motor Spare Parts, among others were under lock and key, to the extent that entrance gates leading to some streets remain locked, apparently to ward off entrance of sit-at-home enforcers.

The sit-at-home failed in Ebonyi State.

Enugu metropolis was unusually quiet on Friday as residents and businesses observed the sit-at-home order declared by pro-Biafra groups, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), to commemorate this year’s Biafra Day.

The state capital was effectively shut down, with government offices, banks, markets, shops, schools, and other commercial establishments closed.

In Abakaliki, the state capital, residents of the state were seen going about their normal businesses. Markets, shops, eatery centres and many filing stations opened for businesses. Also, government offices and many schools opened for official duties and academic activities.