As the two-day sit-at-home that a group of the Indigenous People of Biafra had announced began its second day, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel patrolled the streets and key routes in Anambra State on Tuesday.

Via voice notes and films that were distributed last week, a group of IPOB warned South East people to stay indoors on October 21 and 22, threatening deadly repercussions for noncompliance.

The patrols were part of attempts to address the purported threats and reassure communities of their safety, according to Okadigbo Edwin, Head of Media and Tactical Operations for the NSCDC Anambra State Command, who was speaking on behalf of Olatunde Maku, the State Commandant.

Edwin said that in order to counter the purported danger, the state commandant had mandated “confidence-building patrols” and “show of force operations” around the state.

“Today, Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the NSCDC state command, in cooperation with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, strategically deployed personnel across key areas of the state as part of its proactive measures to ensure public safety and security in response to IPOB’s two-day sit-at-home directive,” he said.

The goal of this deployment is to safeguard people and property, especially in the vicinity of vital infrastructure and assets owned by the federal, state, and municipal governments.

He said that the purpose of this preemptive action is to reassure Anambra citizens that the command is prepared to keep the peace, avoid disturbances, and uphold law and order.

He stressed that the NSCDC and other security agencies are ready to keep the state safe and secure and advised citizens to go about their everyday lives without fear or intimidation.

Additionally, the command asked everyone to be composed and watchful, pay attention to their surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to the closest security formation or by calling the emergency hotline at 08066769442. It issued a warning that any people or organisations trying to disturb the peace will face immediate and severe consequences.

Major highways around the state were mostly empty, and our reporter noted that public services like as stores, schools, vehicle parks, banks, gas stations and courts were still closed.