The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a sit-at-home exercise scheduled for Monday, February 2, across the five South-East states of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo.
According to the group, the action is intended to show solidarity with traders affected by the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State.
The decision follows an order by the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, who directed the one-week closure of the market. The state government said the move was necessitated by the continued observance of sit-at-home in the area, which it noted has negatively impacted economic activities since it began in July 2021.
Governor Soludo had earlier warned residents and traders against complying with sit-at-home directives, stressing that such actions were harming businesses and slowing development in the state.
However, some traders at the Onitsha Main Market maintained that their decision to stay away from work was voluntary. They said it was done in solidarity with the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently standing trial over separatist-related charges.
In a statement released on Friday, IPOB criticised the Anambra State Government, accusing it of acting against the interests of Igbo traders. The group described the market closure as unfair and targeted at individuals expressing solidarity.
IPOB announced a total shutdown of economic activities across the South-East and other areas it referred to as Biafran territories on the stated date, insisting that the sit-at-home is meant to resist what it views as punishment of traders.
The group reiterated that the weekly sit-at-home observed in the region is voluntary and not enforced by its members. It warned that actions such as market closures could heighten tension in the region and further affect people’s livelihoods.
Residents of the South-East were urged to remain indoors on February 2 and refrain from business activities, while IPOB also called on its supporters to remain calm and avoid violence during the period.
The group again demanded the release of Nnamdi Kanu, accusing the Anambra State Government of mounting economic pressure on traders through the market shutdown.
