Youth Leaders Condemn Sit-at-Home Orders in South East Nigeria
The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has spoken out against the persistent sit-at-home orders plaguing the South East region of Nigeria. These orders, often disseminated through social media by unknown individuals, have left residents fearful and compliant. COSEYL is urging the government to address this issue and bring peace back to the zone.
According to COSEYL President General, Goodluck Ibem, the situation has spiraled out of control. “These orders come from unknown persons through voice notes and videos, and people are terrified into obeying them. We can’t continue like this as a people. This madness must stop,” he emphasized. Ibem also criticized the arbitrary nature of these orders, stating that “it’s a joke taken too far” for someone to wake up and dictate what others can or can’t do.
COSEYL is calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from custody. The group believes that Kanu’s release would help alleviate the current tensions and restore economic stability to the region. Ibem stressed that Kanu’s incarceration has been exploited by individuals to inflict hardship and stagnation in the South East.
Interestingly, the IPOB and Simon Ekpa, the leader of a splinter group, publicly distanced themselves from a recent two-day sit-at-home order. Yet, despite their denials, the order was still effective in bringing government and private businesses to a standstill. This raises questions about who is actually behind these orders and what their true motivations are. COSEYL is seeking answers, asking, “Who then is behind the sit-at-home order that brought government and private businesses to a halt for two days?”
The situation is further complicated by the circulation of fake news and propaganda. Proponents of the sit-at-home orders have been sharing an old video of vehicles on fire, claiming it occurred on October 22, 2024, in Okigwe, Imo State. However, the video is actually from 2022. COSEYL is appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider releasing Nnamdi Kanu from custody to put an end to these economically damaging tactics and promote growth and development in the nation.
COSEYL’s call to action highlights the urgent need for the government to address the root causes of these sit-at-home orders and work towards finding a lasting solution that brings peace and stability to the South East region.
