According to Vanguard, Amid growing insecurity across the South-East, a significant number of residents from the region are fleeing to neighboring states, particularly Asaba, Delta State, in search of safety....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
The increasing threat from violent groups like cultists, kidnappers, and militants has forced families and businesses to relocate, as communities in states like Anambra and Imo have borne the brunt of the violence.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!With the constant fear of attack, many have been left with no choice but to leave their homes.
In addition to these threats, the region has also faced severe economic setbacks, particularly from the sit-at-home orders imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), further amplifying the region’s instability.
IPOB’s enforcement of the sit-at-home directive has severely disrupted the region’s economy, especially micro businesses. According to a report, micro businesses in the South-East lost an estimated N4.618 trillion ($10.495 billion) over the span of one year due to the imposed shutdowns.
This weekly disruption, particularly on Mondays, has caused widespread closure of schools, markets, and businesses, leaving the streets eerily quiet. As businesses in the South-East are forced to remain shut, other regions continue their normal activities.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State highlighted the devastating impact of the weekly shutdowns, stating, “Every single day the sit-at-home happens, Anambra loses about N19.6 billion.
The longer this continues, the more businesses in Igboland are being forced to relocate. Traders who once came to Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba, and other cities in the South-East are now finding other places to trade. Who is bearing the cost of this chaos?”
Despite efforts by the state governments to quell the violence, the situation remains unresolved, and the region is struggling to recover economically.
Local leaders, including Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, have taken steps to combat the violence by encouraging residents to disregard the sit-at-home order.
Mbah urged citizens to open their businesses and restore normalcy, saying, “Enugu can’t become the premier destination for investments and tourism unless we face our security challenges head-on. If we allow ourselves to be dictated to by criminals hiding behind IPOB’s name, we lose our future.”
Despite these calls for action, criminal elements continue to enforce the shutdowns, further destabilizing the region.
As insecurity worsens, many residents have opted to relocate to neighboring states for safety. Eloka Obi, a businessman from Awka, shared his experience of relocating to Asaba with his family.
He explained, “No one dares cross the Niger Bridge on Mondays anymore. It’s simply too dangerous. The best thing for anyone living in Onitsha, Awka, or Imo is to relocate to Asaba or even consider states like Rivers, Cross River, or Akwa Ibom.
People are beginning to realize that these states offer a better sense of security.”
Eloka also explained the lengths to which people are going to ensure their safety, saying, “We’ve had to change how we live. We don’t disclose our whereabouts to anyone. We avoid driving flashy cars and, during festive periods like Christmas, we travel with plainclothes security.
People are discreet about their movements. You won’t find the same person in the same hotel every night. This is the reality of insecurity in the South-East now.”
