The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a Biafra-wide solidarity sit-at-home scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, across the five South-East states, in protest against the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and in support of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The group said the action was a direct response to the Anambra State Government’s directive ordering traders to resume activities on Mondays, following Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision to shut the Onitsha Main Market for one week over continued observance of sit-at-home protests.
In a statement signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group described the planned sit-at-home as peaceful and voluntary, insisting it was an expression of solidarity with Onitsha traders and not an act of enforcement.
According to IPOB, the market closure and alleged threats of extended shutdowns, land revocation, demolition, and repurposing of traders’ shops amount to economic punishment targeted at traders who have chosen to observe Monday sit-at-home protests in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu.
The statement noted that the February 2 action would involve a complete shutdown of economic and public activities across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi states, as well as other parts of the South-East. IPOB called on traders, transporters, banks, schools, civil servants and residents to remain indoors for the duration of the protest.
IPOB accused the Anambra State Governor of waging “economic warfare” against the people of the South-East, describing the closure of Onitsha Main Market—one of the largest markets in Africa—as an attack on the livelihoods of traders and a move aimed at suppressing continued demands for Kanu’s release.
The group argued that the Monday sit-at-home protests originated as a peaceful call for the unconditional release of Kanu and maintained that compliance with the action has been largely voluntary. It added that markets had operated peacefully on previous Mondays during the festive season, countering claims that the sit-at-home amounts to economic sabotage.
IPOB further stated that attempts to criminalise or forcefully end the sit-at-home would only heighten tensions in the region, while calling on residents to remain law-abiding and avoid any form of violence during the protest.
Reaffirming its commitment to non-violence, IPOB said it remains open to dialogue and continues to pursue a referendum as a path to self-determination. The group also urged supporters to be vigilant against actions it described as attempts to provoke unrest or discredit its cause.
“An attack on Onitsha traders is an attack on all Biafrans,” the statement declared, adding that the February 2 sit-at-home would serve as a message of unity and resistance against what it described as intimidation and injustice.
IPOB Declares February 2 Biafra-Wide Solidarity Lockdown Over Onitsha Market Closure, Kanu’s Detention
