In Onitsha, southeastern Nigeria, Mondays are eerily silent as residents refrain from venturing out due to fear instigated by the IPOB, which advocates for Biafran independence and has a history of ordering stay-at-home protests. Despite claiming to suspend such orders, locals comply out of fear of violent repercussions from armed groups. This climate of fear stems from previous agitations for independence that led to a devastating civil war, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region. The situation illustrates a complex relationship between the residents' safety and political activism.
"Mondays now feel so empty... to be honest, we don't necessarily sit at home because we support the IPOB, but out of fear. It's not about solidarity, it's about [protecting] ourselves."
"While the IPOB claimed it had suspended the stay-at-home order, locals continued to comply due to the fear of armed groups known to attack those who defy the measure, using enforcement tactics like arson, looting and targeted killings."
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