The Imo State government has threatened to close any shop or commercial premise that complies with the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra’s sit-at-home order beginning from next Monday.

In an address to journalists in Owerri, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Simon Ebegbulem, advised citizens of the state to disregard the order by non-state actors since the government had taken adequate precautions to ensure the safety of lives and property.

Mr. Ebegbulem explained that the state government would commence distribution of food items and other palliatives aimed at cushioning the effects of fuel subsidy removal across the twenty seven local government areas of the state noting that heeding such calls from those who do not mean well for the state would negatively affect residents.

The Commissioner for Trade and Investment emphasised that the government was working hard to address infrastructural deficit, tackle poverty and improve health care and warned that it would not fold its hands to watch criminals impose hardship on citizens.

Recall that one Mr. Simon Ekpa who is resident outside the shores of Nigeria had ordered a two-week sit-at-home across the southeast states beginning from Monday next week.

The call has been condemned by leaders in the zone noting that it would further cripple economic activities in the area.