Fresh IPOB Sit‑At‑Home Call Sparks Anxiety Across Southeast

Fresh IPOB Sit‑At‑Home Call Sparks Anxiety Across Southeast

Residents of Nigeria’s Southeast region are on edge as a new sit‑at‑home directive allegedly issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026. The directive has raised fears about disruption of daily life, commerce, and public safety in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.

The alleged order, circulating widely on social media platforms, called on traders, transport operators, civil servants, and residents to shut down economic activities and remain indoors. Supporters of the directive claim it is a peaceful protest in solidarity with detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and in opposition to actions by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, including the temporary closure of the Onitsha Main Market.

However, the announcement has triggered tension and fear among residents, who recall previous sit‑at‑home directives that led to significant economic losses, disruption of education, and heightened security concerns.

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Reacting to the viral order, IPOB’s lead counsel, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, dismissed it as fake and fraudulent, urging residents to ignore the purported lockdown. He explained that the platform used to circulate the directive had been compromised, and warned the public to treat any similar publications with skepticism. Ejiofor confirmed that the organization had formally disowned the directive, emphasizing that IPOB advocates only for peaceful activism.

In response to the situation, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has announced the full reopening of the Onitsha Main Market, insisting that traders resume normal activities while security agencies ensure safety and order. The Anambra State Police Command has also reassured residents that officers are ready to protect lives and property rather than enforce any unofficial directives.

As Southeast residents brace for the alleged sit‑at‑home day, concerns over economic disruption, public safety, and political tension remain high. Authorities continue to urge calm and normalcy, encouraging citizens to carry out lawful daily activities while security agencies monitor the situation closely.

Fresh IPOB Sit‑At‑Home Call Sparks Anxiety Across Southeast