The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a region-wide sit-at-home and full lockdown across the South-East and other supposed Biafran territories for Monday, February 2, in what it described as a peaceful show of solidarity with traders and communities affected by the ongoing closure of the Onitsha Main Market.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafra movement called on residents, businesses and civil servants in Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states to refrain from all commercial and public activities on the scheduled day.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra, under the resolute leadership of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby declares a Biafra-wide solidarity strike, a complete lockdown of all economic activities across Igboland and wider Biafran territories, on Monday, February 2, 2026,” the statement read.
IPOB says the sit-at-home is a peaceful response to the actions of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who recently ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after shops were observed shut in obedience to earlier Monday sit-at-home actions.
The group described the market closure and threats of further punitive measures, including revocation of land allocations and demolition, as “economic warfare” against traders and Biafrans, arguing that compliance with the sit-at-home is voluntary and rooted in solidarity, not fear.
IPOB also reaffirmed its long-standing demand for the unconditional release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and said the lockdown aims to send a united message against what the group sees as injustices faced by the people of the South-East.
In the statement, IPOB emphasized that the lockdown should be peaceful, voluntary and law-abiding, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid confrontations.
The group said it remains committed to non-violence and dialogue, even as it pursues its political objectives.
While the situation continues to develop, there has not yet been an official response from the Anambra State Government to IPOB’s latest declaration.
