By; PAMELA EBOH, Awka
The green-white-green symbol of Nigeria has disappeared out of sight in banks, schools and other government owned establishments, following the order by the Indegenous People of Biafra for Nigerian flags to be brought down by establishments and banks on Ocober 1, 2021.
As at Thursday, September 30, NIgerian flags adorning bank entrances in Anambra State had been removed.
Recall that IPOB had in a press statement said that it will visit banks in the southeast zone to officially talk to them about taking off the flags, warnkng that anyone that flours the order will meet its waterloo.
Confirming the announcement made by IPOB media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, a banker with First Bank Nigeria ltd who spoke on codition of anonymity said that members of staff are living in fear.
She said, “Some people came to my branch esrlier this week and asked us to remove the Nigeria flag and the picture of President Muhammadu Buhari in our office.
“They warned that failure to adhere to the instruction will lead to something disastrous. Immediately they left, the branch manager gave instruction for the flag to be brought down as well as the picture.
When our Correspondent visited some banks within Awka, Anambra State capital, the green, white, green flags were nowhere to be seen, as well as the post office located along Ziks Avenue, Awka.
At the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, located within Udoka Housing Estate, the Nigeria flag was taken off days before the October 1 day ultimatum.
Meanwhile, politicians in the state have underground following heightened insecurity in the state, esoecially the killing of late Prof Dora Akunyili’s husband, Dr Chike Akunyil at Nkpor, alongside his driver and Police Orderly on Tuesday.
It was learnt that Akunyili who was on transit after atrending a function in Onitsha caught the attention of the unidentified gunmen because of the securty detail.
According to an eye witness, the gunmen while tryimg to maneuver traffic spotted Akunyili’s car with a security officer.
“They shouted, its a politician, its a politician, directed him out of his car and shot him.”
To this end, politicians have faahioned a way to move about without police escort to avoid attracting attention.
Also branded vehicles of different political parties have suddenly disappeared from the road following threats to some drivers.
A driver of one of the poitical who spoke on condition of anonymity said that he receiced a message threatening him to desist from driving the party vehicle.
He said, I was told to stop driving about town with a political party branded vehicle if I want to be alive and train my children. They saud that they know my movement and where I live. I have since torn off the brand from the vehicle. I don’t want to toy with my life. I am really scared.”
One of the candidates who spoke with a journalist in confidence said,” Some of us were billed for manifesto debate with a professional body in the state today but we were stopped from attending by a security report.
“We were warned by a top security outfit in the state that our security could not be guaranteed because of the prevailing circumstances in the state.
“My brother, life they say has no duplicate. I have suspended every outdoor campaigns for now and I’m sure most of my colleagues had done same.”
Another candidate, who begged not be named said,” I now move around without security personnel. If you read the story of Akunyili’s attack, you would see that his killers were angered on sighting the police orderly in his car. So, that should serve as a lesson to some of us.
