Enugu Schools, Roads, and Businesses Deserted Amid #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Solidarity Action
Enugu came to a near standstill on Monday as schools, roads, and businesses were largely deserted in solidarity with the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow peaceful protest. Although the main protest was planned for Abuja, residents in Enugu opted to refrain from almost all socio-economic activities to show support.
State government offices remained open, but workers provided only skeletal services, with the usual hustle and bustle of a normal working day noticeably absent. Few commercial and private vehicles were seen on the roads, and most banks remained closed.
A monitoring team from The Guardian observed that normally busy areas such as Agbani Road, Coal Camp, New Haven, New Layout, and Ogui Road were virtually empty, while some young men turned the streets into makeshift football pitches.
The wave of inactivity was reportedly influenced by a viral social media video urging Igbo residents to shun businesses in solidarity with the protest. The video emphasized that the protest’s focus was on the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained for an extended period, rather than the pursuit of Biafra.
Most schools, which were initially uncertain about whether to keep students in class, issued messages instructing them to remain at home and stay alert. The notices added that any updates regarding the situation would be communicated as they became available.
