Commuters in Onitsha, Anambra State were on Monday stranded following partial restrictions of vehicular movement within major roads in the commercial city.

The restrictions might not be unconnected with the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, The Nation reports.

Commercial buses plying Awka-Onitsha route had suspended operations over the fear of being trapped in the looming crisis, particularly as videos of bonfires at the popular Upper Iweka and other strategic areas of the town went viral on social media.

Those who dared the situation took advantage of the development to exploit their passengers.

While some charged N500 more than the usual cost of N300 from Awka to Onitsha, others charged as high as N600.

Shops, markets and offices were under lock and key while some major streets were deserted in the commercial town.

One of the commuters, a civil servant who simply identified himself as Oliver, wondered why a court matter going on in far away Abuja would have such an impact on people in Anambra state.

Oliver, who resides in Onitsha but works in Awka said he decided to go back home after several efforts to get to work failed.

“I can’t understand our people. Why don’t they vent their anger on those in Abuja than transferring the aggression on innocent people like us? I better go home and rest than risk my life for no just cause, ” he said.