The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a Biafra-wide solidarity lockdown scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, in support of Onitsha traders and to demand the release of its jailed leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB made the disclosure in a press statement signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful.
The group described the action as a peaceful show of unity across Igboland and wider Biafran territories.
Background
The announcement comes in response to Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo’s recent decision to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week.
Soludo gave the order after traders failed to open for business on January 26, in defiance of government directives abolishing the Monday sit-at-home practice.
Soludo had warned that further sanctions could follow if traders continued to comply with the sit-at-home order.
These include month-long closures, revocation of land ownership, and demolition.
IPOB’s Position
IPOB condemned Soludo’s actions, describing them as “economic warfare against Biafrans”.
The group accused the governor of acting as an enforcer for anti-Biafran interests.
“This strike is not enforcement; it is a voluntary, collective expression of outrage and solidarity with the hardworking traders of Onitsha, whose livelihoods are now under direct assault,” the statement read.
The group insisted that the Monday sit-at-home originated as a peaceful protest demanding Kanu’s release and should not be mischaracterized as economic sabotage.
IPOB argued that voluntary compliance by traders reflects genuine solidarity, not fear.
It, therefore, urged all Biafrans—including traders, transporters, banks, schools, and civil servants across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and beyond—to observe the February 2 lockdown peacefully.
The directive calls for residents to remain indoors, refrain from commercial and public activities, and demonstrate collective resolve.
“This is not about disruption for its own sake; it is about standing with Onitsha traders who are being punished for demanding justice,” Emma Powerful stated.
Commitment to Non-Violence
In the meantime, the group reiterated its commitment to non-violence and dialogue.
It emphasized that its ultimate goal remains a referendum on Biafran self-determination.
IPOB cautioned members to avoid provocations and be vigilant against false flag operations aimed at discrediting the movement.
“The world must see that Biafrans are a peaceful, mature people fighting for freedom through legitimate means—not the chaotic region Nigerian lobbyists desperately portray,” the statement added.
Implications
The planned lockdown highlights the ongoing tension between state authorities and pro-Biafra activists over the sit-at-home practice.
While Soludo insists on restoring full economic activity on Mondays, IPOB maintains that solidarity actions are inseparable from the demand for Kanu’s release.
Observers warn that the February 2 shutdown could reignite wider debates about governance, rights, and self-determination in the South-East, especially as political actors prepare for the 2027 elections.
IPOB’s declaration underscores its determination to resist what it calls “economic intimidation” and to stand firmly with Onitsha traders.
With the slogan “Touch one, touch all,” the group insists that Soludo’s crackdown is not just on traders but on all Biafrans.
As the date approaches, attention will focus on whether the solidarity strike is widely observed and how authorities respond to this latest escalation in the sit-at-home controversy.
