Following the violence that greeted the peaceful protests by groups agitating for the realisation of Biafra in Onitsha, reports have it that Northerners in the commercial city have fled the town and gone into hiding.
According to Punch, as at Saturday, December 5, 2015, Northerners who make up the bulk of shoe menders, green grocers, barbecue sellers and allied workers in Onitsha were yet to open shops.
According to investigations, the said Northerners had run to the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police barracks in the area for fear of attacks.
One resident who spoke anonymously said: “After the crisis, most of them only came out in the night to do brisk businesses and disappear again.”
All attempts to speak to the Northerners, who had camped at the Military Cantonment Central Mosque proved abortive with one of the saying: “We don’t talk to strangers. Our leader is not around. He is the only person who has the power to talk on our behalf.”
When approached for comments, state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ali Okechechukwu, said: He said, “The situation is calm. Nobody should be afraid or hide. The police have brought back normalcy to Onitsha after the storm and we are ever prepared to sustain the peace and order in Onitsha.”
