The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) orders Monday sit-at-home across South-East, citing economic and political grievances.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a region-wide shutdown across the South-East on Monday, February 2, 2026, in protest against the ongoing closure of Onitsha Main Market and to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
According to IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the action is intended as a peaceful civil disobedience, urging residents to stay indoors and suspend economic activities without confrontation.
The shutdown follows Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s closure of Onitsha Main Market, a move aimed at curbing traders’ continued adherence to the Monday sit-at-home protests. IPOB described the market closure as “economic warfare”, targeting both traders and the wider community.
The directive covers all South-East states, including Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, and Ebonyi, with supporters urged to remain law-abiding while pressing for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.
The Anambra State government has criticized the sit-at-home order as economic sabotage threatening regional trade. Governor Soludo maintains that the market closure is necessary to prevent disruptions caused by repeated shutdowns.
If IPOB’s shutdown is fully observed, the region’s commercial activities, transport, banking, and education sectors could face significant disruptions, highlighting the ongoing tension between secessionist activism and state governance in the South-East.
Source: Sahara Reporters
