The Southern Youth Forum, SYF, called on civilians in eastern Nigeria to stay at home on Monday 31st for their safety.
The socio-political group made the call on Saturday following the ongoing confrontation between the Nigerian security forces and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who declared a sit-at-home (lockdown) on Monday to commemorate the anniversary of Biafra and those killed in the civil war alongside those who died in the quest for a sovereign state of Biafra.
“Having carefully observed the massive deployment of policemen and soldiers to the south for the sit-in at home, the IPOB leadership scheduled for Monday 31st, 2021; We, the Southern Youth Forum, SYF, urge residents of the southeast and south-south to obey the order to sit at home, at least if not for the fallen heroes of Biafra, but for their own safety,” SYF said in a statement sent to Gazette Africa by its spokesperson, Dezia Kue.
“We urge everyone to close their businesses that day and stay home to avoid being the victims of arrest or stray bullets that could be the result of violence between the police, soldiers and the IPOB, which swore to enforce the sit -at-home.
“As we call on IPOB leaders to ensure that the exercise is peaceful, we also call on the police and the military to avoid engaging in any act that would lead to violence and the breakdown of law and order in the southern part of the country,” said the socio-political group.
Nigerian forces on Friday pledged to prevent the lockdown that the separatist group said it would enforce on Monday, raising fears of violence and death among civilians.
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