Anglican Bishops in Anambra have sought for safety in other states following the threat issued by pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Recall that the IPOB had earlier issued a sit-at-home notice to the people of the state stating that it will be releasing birds painted in the biafran colour amidst other activities.
The threat has however caused panic as all markets, banks and other institution have been asked to shut down with all movements restricted in the entire South East geo-political zone.
Following the threat, Anglican Bishops who were in session for the five- day standing committee of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion ended the meeting abruptly.
Speaking on the decision to end the highest-decision making meeting which had over 170 bishops present and would have otherwise continued till Friday, Primate of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicolas Okoh said: “IPOB threatened to shut down markets and other institutions and restrict movement in the entire South East. We are not delving into the reasons for their agitation, but we are asking them to wait until we leave Awka on Friday.
“If they go ahead to carry out that order, we may be trapped in Anambra as the Niger Bridge is the only exit route from Anambra State for most of the Bishops. So, people should help us beg them to allow us to go.”
The Bishops who arrived in the state to convene the meeting which officially started on Wednesday left the state the same day to avoid being entangled in the IPOB web.
One of the Bishops from the Northern region said: “We are human and so we had to put our heads together and that is why we decided to cut short the conference.
“That is the most ideal thing to do in the circumstance. I will leave this evening and most others will do same. Those who cannot make it today (yesterday) will do so early tomorrow. There is no need waiting; it doesn’t make sense.”