 has announced a region-wide lockdown across the South-East, declaring Monday,){kind=link}
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a region-wide lockdown across the South-East, declaring Monday, February 2, as a day of total shutdown in solidarity with traders affected by recent market closures.
According to the group, the planned sit-at-home will cover all five states in the South-East and will involve the suspension of economic and social activities for the day.
The declaration follows a directive by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, urging traders, particularly those in Onitsha, to resume business activities on Mondays despite ongoing compliance with sit-at-home observances.
In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB described the action as peaceful and voluntary, insisting that it reflects collective resistance rather than coercion.
“This is a calm but firm expression of unity with traders who feel targeted for exercising what they consider a legitimate form of protest,” the group stated.
IPOB further accused the Anambra State Government of applying excessive pressure on traders, especially after the temporary closure of the Onitsha Main Market and warnings of tougher sanctions.
“The decision to shut markets and threaten further punitive measures has deepened resentment among traders,” the statement said, adding that the February 2 lockdown was meant to send a clear message of opposition.
Moreover, the group maintained that the sit-at-home order is tied to broader grievances, including the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
“This action is not about violence or disorder,” IPOB said. “It is a unified, non-violent response to policies perceived as hostile to the economic survival of our people.”
As the date approaches, residents and traders across the region are weighing the economic implications of another shutdown, while authorities have yet to officially respond to the latest declaration.