Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma has asked state residents to stop obeying the sit-at-home order of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

This call was made on Sunday by the governor while addressing journalists in Owerri.

Uzodinma said the sit-at-home “only inflict pains and discomfort on our people”.

Recall that Imo has been particularly hit by IPOB’s sit-at-home protests, which forced the state to shut down businesses every Monday for five weeks earlier this year.

The group on Saturday announced another sit-at-home billed for October 21 when Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, will appear in court.

Reacting to the development, Uzodinma asked the residents not to be afraid of people who “hide under the guise of IPOB and ESN and hire bandits, import killers into Imo state to kill our innocent brothers and sisters”.

He said the government was “already collecting intelligence and was committed to making sure that people don’t die in vain”.

“Those championing sit at home order only inflict pains and discomfort on our people, especially those on daily income who must go out daily to feed their families,” Uzodinma said.

“If really what we are looking for is to ensure Igbos are not marginalised or to have our own country, we have to be alive to achieve such, and not by killing ourselves.

“More so, what we have now in Nigeria. It is from Nigeria that we are asking for our fair share and equity, for justice and fairness. Therefore we must submit to the sovereignty of the country.”