Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, was nearly deserted on Monday, October 21, as many residents chose to stay indoors, significantly impacting business activities throughout the city.
Numerous businesses, including banks, petrol stations, and eateries, remained closed, while motor parks were nearly empty of passengers. A handful of commercial drivers who ventured out reported a severe lack of customers.
Key roads such as Azikiwe Road, School Road, Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba Road, Uzuakoli Road, Bende Road, and Bank Road appeared almost vacant, with only a few pedestrians and vehicles in sight.
At government offices, it was evident that many civil servants did not report for duty, particularly those commuting from distant areas who struggled to find transportation. The Office of the Head of Service on Library Avenue was locked even at 1:30 PM, and public and private schools in Umuahia saw noticeably low attendance.
Despite the situation, there were no reports of violence or harassment, as the state capital remained peaceful. Members of the Abia State joint security outfit, Operation Crush, patrolled various areas to maintain order.
By around 3:00 PM, however, Isi Gate, the heart of Umuahia, began to show signs of life. Many traders and transporters who had initially stayed indoors started returning to their shops, hoping for evening sales.
