Nnamdi Kanu: Umuahia on Total Lockdown as Shops, Schools, and Banks Shut Down

The Abia State capital, Umuahia, was completely shut down on Monday as residents withdrew from their usual daily activities in solidarity with the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest championed by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and other supporters of the detained IPOB leader.

A visit to several parts of the city revealed that economic and social life was completely paralysed, with major streets wearing an unusual deserted look.

The roads across Umuahia were nearly empty, with only a handful of tricycles and private vehicles seen moving around. The once-bustling city centre looked more like a ghost town.

Shops, markets, petrol stations, banks, and motor parks all remained closed, as residents opted to stay indoors amid fears of possible tension or confrontation. Even major commercial hubs like the popular Isigate Market were under lock and key, with traders keeping their wares tightly covered.

Similarly, schools both public and private did not open for academic activities. It was gathered that some institutions had already notified parents over the weekend, advising them not to bring their children to school due to safety concerns surrounding the protest.

The sit-at-home was in solidarity with calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in detention since 2021. Kanu’s continued incarceration has remained a sensitive issue in the South-East, often sparking demonstrations and public outcry.

A convoy of joint security patrol vans was sighted along Uwakala Road and other strategic locations within the city, apparently monitoring the situation to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

By mid-morning, major roads such as Post Office/Abia Tower Junction, FMC/Bank Road Junction, and Umuwaya Road remained largely empty. The usually vibrant atmosphere of the city was replaced with eerie silence, as residents observed the impromptu lockdown.

Though no major incidents of violence were reported as of press time, the atmosphere in Umuahia remained tense, with residents expressing mixed feelings over the protest. While some supported the action as a show of solidarity, others lamented the economic losses caused by the shutdown.

As the #FreeNnamdiKanu movement gains renewed momentum, security agencies are expected to remain on high alert to prevent any escalation of unrest in Abia and neighbouring states.