The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a total lockdown of the south-east on January 2.
Recall that the Charles Soludo, governor of Anambra State, ordered the closure of the market for one week when he visited on 26 January and observed that shops were closed in compliance with a sit-at-home directive by IPOB.
Soludo’s action triggered heavy protests by angry traders in the state, who, on Tuesday, backed the Monday sit-at-home in honour of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement, Emma Powerful, the IPOB spokesperson, said the sit-at-home directive was in protest against the closure of the Onitsha Main Market by Soludo.
He said that the protest would be voluntary and urged schools, banks, and other institutions to remain closed.
Powerful said the strike would bring all economic activities in Igboland to a complete halt.
He described the shutdown as a peaceful and unified response to Governor Soludo’s actions, noting that the governor had closed the Onitsha Main Market for a week and threatened further month-long closures, revocation of land ownership, demolition, and punitive repurposing of properties.
“This strike is not enforcement; it is a voluntary, collective expression of outrage and solidarity with the hardworking traders of Onitsha, whose livelihoods are under direct assault by a governor who has chosen to act as an enforcer for anti-people interests rather than a servant of his people,” Powerful said.
He added that Soludo’s closure of Africa’s largest market and threats to revoke allocations constituted “economic warfare against Biafrans” aimed at breaking the spirit of peaceful civil disobedience.
The IPOB spokesperson reminded the public that the Monday sit-at-home originated as a peaceful protest calling for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Attempts to twist this into ‘economic sabotage’ will fail. The markets thrived during Christmas Mondays without incident, proving voluntary compliance stems from solidarity, not fear,” he said.
Powerful called on all Biafran traders, transporters, banks, schools, civil servants, and every sector across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and beyond to observe the strike peacefully on Monday, February 2, 2026.
“Remain indoors, refrain from commercial and public activities, and demonstrate our disciplined resolve. This is about standing with Onitsha traders and reaffirming that no governor can coerce citizens into abandoning their rights or solidarity,” he said.
The group stressed its commitment to non-violence and dialogue leading to a referendum on Biafran self-determination.
“We urge all to stay law-abiding, avoid provocations, and be vigilant against false flag operations designed to discredit our cause,” Powerful said.
He concluded: “Soludo’s war on Onitsha traders is a war on all Biafrans. This strike will send a clear message: Touch one, touch all. Our leader’s prophecy endures, Biafra’s liberation is near and no amount of intimidation will stop it.”
