Umuahia Closes Schools as Residents Observe Biafra Day Sit‑at‑Home Protest

By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA — On Saturday, the capital of Abia State fell into an unusual quiet as most residents stayed indoors to observe Biafra Day, a commemoration of those who died in the Nigerian Civil War.

The city, normally bustling, appeared deserted, with major roads, markets and commercial centres showing very little activity.

Many shops remained closed, and business and transport movements were markedly reduced throughout the capital.

From the city centre to the outskirts, traffic was sparse, with only a handful of vehicles and commercial tricycles moving on the roads.

In some areas, youths used the empty streets to play football, turning parts of the deserted roads into impromptu pitches.

The Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, which passes through Umuahia and serves as a key transportation route, also experienced light traffic for most of the day.

Although a few residents were seen moving about, the city was far quieter than its usual weekend atmosphere.

No reports of violence, disturbances or security breaches were received at the time of filing. The situation remained peaceful, with residents complying with the sit‑at‑home observance.

The exercise followed a call by the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), which urged people across the South‑East to remain indoors and offer prayers in memory of those who died during the civil war.

Similarly, the Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) used the occasion to call for justice for victims of the conflict and urged authorities to respect citizens’ rights to commemorate their dead.

The level of compliance in Umuahia reflected the enduring historical and emotional significance the civil war period holds for many residents, more than five decades after the conflict ended.

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