Describing it as a national issue, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe recalled that the sit-at-home action began in August 2021 when the IPOB leader was imprisoned, adding that “the criminals have used the “sit-at-home” to kill and burn houses of innocent people.
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The Senate has condemned the “sit-at-home” order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the South East of the country and urged the Federal Government to collaborate with the Finish Government to extradite IPOB’s acclaimed Leader, Simon Ekpa, for prosecution.
This was contained in a motion titled ‘Condemning the Disruptive Nature of ‘Sit-At-Home’ Demonstrations in South East-Nigeria,’ sponsored by Senator Osita Izunaso Bonaventure (APC, Imo West) and co-sponsored by fourteen (14) other Senators from the South East.
Senator Izunaso in his lead debate, narrated how thousands of innocent lives have been lost and property worth over a trillion naira have been destroyed and resulted in investors leaving the region; since the order was issued.
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“The sit-at-home civil disobedience actions in the South East have led to the disruption/destruction of economic activities as well as immeasurable financial losses for businesses, workers, and the local economy. Because, when people are forced to stay at home and businesses remain closed, productivity declines and income is reduced, thereby affecting livelihoods and economic growth.
The “sit-at-home” protests disrupt the education of students, leading to missed classes and delays in academic progress. And such prolonged disruptions have long-term effects on students’ learning outcomes and educational development,” he noted.
According to Senator Izunaso, this issue has also caused huge inconvenience in affected states causing many public services to shut down.
“Disruption of essential public services, such as healthcare, transportation, and waste disposal, continues to have a severe impact during “sit-at-home” protests which adversely affect the wellbeing and safety of the general population living in the South East.
Also, the “sit-at-home” protests continue to lead to acts of violence and clashes with law enforcement agencies which have led to the uncountable loss of lives of innocent people, security agents, and protesters. As this increases the potential for criminal elements to take advantage of the situation to engage in looting or other unlawful activities while the people stayed at home,” he added.
The lawmaker worried that should the activities of Simon Ekpa, who issued the illegal ‘sit-at-home” order not be checked, he may succeed in corrupting the minds of Nigerian youths and turning them against the government which is tantamount to treasonable felony.
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Describing it as a national issue, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) recalled that the sit-at-home action began in August 2021 when the IPOB leader was imprisoned, adding that “the criminals have used the “sit-at-home” to kill and burn houses of innocent people including policemen.
Abaribe informed the Senate that “in the company of former Senator and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the Secretary of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, we went to meet with Nnamdi Kanu at the DSS, but he denied that it was Samuel Ekpa in Finland who authorised it and not him.
Now everyone is scared and I need the Senate to know that there is no one in the South East except the criminals who support this sit at home. The people also told me that they have been threatened on several occasions when they dare to come out of their houses. When these criminals see people outside or driving their cars, they shoot them with the excuse of “sit at home. I and Senator Kalu have also been attacked,” he added.
The lawmaker urged his colleagues and the rest of Nigeria to view the issue beyond that of South East.
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On his part, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu gave several accounts of problems caused by the criminals and insisted that the Governors of the states need to look into the issue as soon as possible.
“These boys have caused industrial problems in the South East. It is no longer a case of IPOB, but it is now criminal. They attacked I and Abaribe and the Governors of these states must come together to fight against this,” Senator Kalu remarked.
In adopting the motion, the Senate also condemned in totality, the nefarious activities of Simon Ekpa who is the gang leader. It also invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs (when appointed), and relevant stakeholders to carry out a thorough investigation as well as bring other sponsors of the act to book.
The lawmakers further urged the Federal Government and security agencies to use technology to curb the menace by tracking the culprits and bringing them to book, even as they observed a minute silence for those, who have been unjustly killed due to the criminal act.
