Traders, artisans and others on Friday, shunned the ‘sit-at-home order’ issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which directed people in the South-East not to carry out human and economic activities.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored development within Enugu township, reports that virtually all business owners opened shops for normal economic activities.

At Agbani Road, Zik Avenue, Mgbemena Road, Ogbete Road as well as state Secretariat Complex, Ogbete Main Market and New Market, Enugu, it was business as usual as people were seen carrying out their activities in peace.

Commercial transporters were also seen executing their businesses unhindered as more people trooped to the bus stops to go board vehicles to destinations while Artisans were at their various workshops to attend their customers.

Banks and other financial institutions as well as corporate offices were opened and staff attending to customers as usual while traders at Ogbete Main Market and New Market also opened shops and serving or awaiting customers.

At the state Secretariat Complex, GRA, Enugu, many staff remained at their duty posts as at the time of filing this report.

Reacting to the order, Mr Chris Ugwu, a commercial tricycle operator in Enugu, said he started business for the day at 6 a.m., adding that he had been doing his business with peace.

“Except for the security patrol vehicles and uniformed security personnel in most places, you will not notice that there is anything,’’ Ugwu said.

A trader in Ogbete Main Market, Mr Mike Nnam, said that the sit-at-home order had no effect at all, adding that nearly all traders opened their shops for business.

“However, we laud the Nigeria Police for deployment of personnel and vehicles to the market to ensure peace.

“You see, you cannot take proscribed IPOB for granted as they can pull surprises, if this sort of security measures were not taken,’’ Nnam said.

A wielder along Zik Avenue, Mr Okechukwu Eke, said that he just heard about the sit-at-home order, this morning, from another artisan, a neighbour.