Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and other residents of Anambra State, Monday defied the non existent sit-at-home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in their bid to evacuate to safety places as flood continues to devastate more communities in the State.
At Bishop Crowther camp of the IDPs, in GRA Onitsha, more of the IDPs victims were seen rushing into the camp, even as same is said to be witnessed in other camps at Umueri, Odekpe, among others.
A victim of the flood who joined others at the Bishop Crowder camp, Chief Nnaemeka Ogbuefi, from Igbokenyi, Anambra West Local Government Area, told this correspondent that his children were ferried to Otuocha from where they were taken to Umueri camp.
“He said, ” Apart from the 2012 flooding, we have not seen this type that submerged our community in just two days. Normally before it submerges, it is always a gradual process that will give you time to evacuate your property and family. But not in this case.”
Asked on IPOB, he retorted by saying that nobody was talking about IPOB order for now as the focus is on how to get to a safety place.
“It is only a mad man that will be talking about IPOB sit-at-home order when the trend now is immediate action against flood that is sacking communities not only in Anambra State but most States in Nigeria.
“I am telling you that I am running away from flood that has submerged my house and you are talking about IPOB. Even IPOB members in my community are on the run because of the flood. So nobody is talking about IPOB, he stated
In his reaction, another victim who said he came from Umueze Anam, Anambra West, and simply identified himself as Nwobia, lamented that the three tiears of government have not been able to tackle the annual flood menace.
“This is the reason people no longer regard the government of the day and it calls for agitation by various ethnic groups. Look at what is happening, and because they live in safety land they don’t care about the poor who have no alternative homes.
“The IPOB is agitating for an independent nation because of marginalization of the Southeast people. Though their sit-at-home order for now is not tenable because we have focus on how to tackle the rampaging flood. Tell President Mohammadu Buhari that he failed Nigerians.
“He could not solve ASUU strike, the dollar is on the high side, high cost of living, no medication, marginalization of Southeast zone and few others in a circular State”, he stated.
At Umueri IDP camp, Anambra East Local Government Area, the victims prayed for God’s intervention as the submerging flood continues unabated, putting fear on the host community that they may be affected in no distant time.
A resident of Umueri who pleaded anonymity said that the number of victims increased on daily basis and urged the government to come to their rescue
Asked on IPOB Monday sit-at-home order he stated that one can not leave substance to pursue shadow, stating that nobody knows or talks about IPOB order in a situation like this.
“We are talking about emergency and you are talking about a non issue. Is IPOB not human being like you and I. Some of them are victims of the flood and have vacated their place of abode for safety”, he retorted.
Meanwhile, as usual, shops, markets, schools, courts, among others remained shut even as there was partial movement on the roads
