Dare Babalola
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a sit-at-home protest across South-East Nigeria, including Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo states, in support of traders at Onitsha Main Market.
In a statement issued Friday, IPOB alleged that the Anambra Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is working with “Abuja collaborators” to suppress Igbo traders’ rights and undermine the Biafran self-determination movement.
The group announced a “Biafra-wide solidarity strike”, calling for a total shutdown of economic activities across South-East Nigeria and other Biafran territories on Monday, February 2, 2026.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, hereby declares a Biafra-wide solidarity strike—a complete lockdown of all economic activities across Igboland and wider Biafran territories,” the statement read.
The action, according to the group, is a direct response to the closure of Onitsha Main Market and alleged threats of further punitive measures against traders for observing Monday’s sit-at-home.
IPOB described the market closure as an attack on the livelihoods of traders, insisting that the sit-at-home is a voluntary act of solidarity and not enforced by the group.
The group urged residents of the South-East to remain indoors and refrain from commercial activities on the stated date, while appealing to supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
“On Monday, February 2, 2026, we call on all Biafrans across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and beyond to observe this solidarity strike peacefully,” the statement added.
IPOB reiterated its demand for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu and accused the Anambra State Government of escalating tensions through what it called economic intimidation of traders.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Government had yet to respond to the latest declaration.
Earlier, Governor Soludo ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week, citing the continued observance of the sit-at-home directive that has been in place since July 30, 2021.
The governor described the development as harmful to the state’s economy and warned against further compliance.
However, traders at the market said the sit-at-home was being observed in solidarity with the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently standing trial over charges linked to separatist agitation.
