Black marketers on major streets of Abakaliki cashed in on the sit-at-home order by the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday to make brisk business.
They sold the premium motor spirit, otherwise called petrol, for between N200 and N350 per litre, following the closure of fuel outlets in the city due to the IPOB order.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a cross-section of the hawkers expressed happiness over the development.
Mr Chidi Onu, who said he “made good business”, frowned at the restriction on business activities by IPOB.
“Well, it is not my fault that these things are happening. It is high time we sat on a roundtable as citizens to discuss many issues affecting us as a nation.
“Yes, the IPOB order has favoured me. I only came out to sell and have something for my family,” Onu, who said he sold a liter for between N250 and N300, said.
Another hawker at Mile 50 Layout, Abakiliki, Mr Sunday Enyinna, said he sold a litre for between N200 a d N350, depending on the bargaining power of the buyer.
However, a tricycle operator, Mr Clement Chikaodiri, decried the development, describing it as wicked and sheer exploitation of the masses.
“It is worrisome. Look at me buying a litre of fuel for N300. That is too much. I have driven around the town and no filling station is open,” Chikaodiri said.
According to NAN reports that the high cost of petrol by the roadside hawkers resulted in sharp increase in transport fares by more than 100 per cent.
Brand Spur Nigeria recalls that the outlawed group, IPOB last Tuesday announced that the Biafra Day Sit-At-Home will hold on Monday, 31, 2021.
IPOB – founded in 2012 by diaspora-based pro-Biafra activist, Nnamdi Kanu – is canvassing for the sovereignty of the South and South-East regions of Nigeria.
Read IPOB Sit-At-Home Full Release Below:
“We, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great and indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce that this year’s Biafra Remembrance Day sit-at-home will now hold on Monday, May 31, and not Sunday, May 30 as earlier directed. The modification is following genuine observations about our earlier directive as many of our people observe Sundays as a day of worship.
“There will be partial observation of the Biafra Day on May 30th. But there will be a total lockdown and sit-at-home on Monday 31st of May.
“We, therefore, expect Biafrans all over the world to stay indoors on May 31 for the respect and honor of our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the supreme price for us to live. It is our right to remember them for defending the genocidal attacks given to our people between 1967 and 1970 by Fulani Jihadists supported by the British government.
“Consequently, all commercial activities must be shut down on 31st of May throughout the land of Biafra. There should be no vehicular movement on that day on Biafra roads. Transport companies must withdraw from the road on that day. National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); National Associations of Road Transport Owners (NURTO); and others are expected to fully comply with this directive.
“In the same vein, artisans and traders must close shop on that day. Airports, Seaports, Banks and financial institutions should all shut down in honour of our fallen heroes and heroines.
“Okada and Tricycles organizations are also advised to withdraw from roads on that day. There shall be no social gatherings or events including burials, weddings on that day from 6 am to 6 pm.
“Parents are advised not to send their children to school on that day as no one is expected to be seen outside. Full compliance is expected from all.
“Biafrans in Diaspora are to hold peaceful rallies in their countries of abode”.
