The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has ordered another sit-at-home on September 14.
IPOB’s Director of State, DOS, ordered the sit-at-home to remember those allegedly killed in Afaraukwu, Abia State in 2018 by Nigerian soldiers.
The separatist group said that Nigerian soldiers had in 2018 desecrated the traditional stool of Afaraukwu.
A statement by the Head of IPOB DOS, Chika Edozien, said the September 14 sit-at-home has been tagged “day of civil disobedience.”
ORIGINAL STATEMENT:
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday insisted that the indefinite suspension of the weekly Monday sit-at-home towards the release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remained sacrosanct.
The Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful confirmed the suspension in a chat with The Nation Newspapers on Sunday
In his words: “There is no sit at home tomorrow. It has been suspended by IPOB leadership and DOS. Anybody seen disturbing people should be arrested.”
The group in an earlier statement by Powerful had explained that the suspension by its Head of Directorate was as a result of direct order from its leader.
It noted that the sit-at-home would in the mean time be observed on the date of its leader court appearances, urging members to take note of the appearance slated on October 21, 2021.
But last Monday witnessed non-compliance to the suspension order in most States of the Southeast as there were no human and vehicular movements across the region.
While some residents claimed to be ignorant of the suspension directives, others said they stayed back home for fear of being attacked.
Others however said they were ready to sacrifice anything, including their businesses to ensure the pro-biafran leader was released and Biafra republic realized.
Economic and social activities have halted in Imo over the Sit-At Home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for fear of possible attacks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reporter who monitored the development on Saturday in Owerri, reports that residents of the state have deserted markets and streets of the state capital for safety.
NAN reports that the pro Biafra agitators led by Nnamdi Kanu issued a statement that ordered people from the South East to sit at home between May 30 and May 31 for the annual Biafra Remembrance Day.
The statement issued by Kanu said the day was set aside in remembrance of over 5 million Biafrans who died during the three-year civil war in Nigeria.
NAN reports that people also kept away from the Government House axis with businesses around it under lock and key while combined team of security agencies are seen patrolling the streets of the state capital.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Abutu Yaro had earlier issued a statement, assuring residents of adequate security and urged the people to ignore the threat.
But only presence of the military and police forces were noticed, while people kept away from the popular Ekeukwu Owerri Market and the timber market in Naze.
A commercial motorist, Mr Okechukwu Nnaji told NAN that motorists started experiencing poor patronage from commuters from May 28.
“As I speak with you, I have not gotten N 2,000 since three days now, I normally make N8,000 daily.
“I don’t know how to feed my family if things do not improve soon,” he said.
A food vendor, Mrs Angela Eze popularly known as (Mama Africa) expressed worry that the situation might affect the economy of the state drastically.
She appealed to government to use diplomacy and find lasting solution to the problem.
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has shifted the May 30 sit-at-home order to May 31.
The group said the shift of date followed genuine observations about its earlier directive as many of its people observed Sundays as day of worship
In a statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, IPOB however said a partial observation of the Biafra Day would still hold on May 30 but insisted total lockdown and sit-at-home to the following day.
It advised parents not to send their children to school on that day as no one was expected to be seen outside just as it enjoined motorcycle and tricycles organisations to withdraw from roads on that day.
The statement reads: “We, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great and indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce that this year’s Biafra Remembrance Day sit-at-home will now hold on Monday, May 31, and not Sunday, May 30 as earlier directed.
“The modification is following genuine observations about our earlier directive as many of our people observe Sundays as a day of worship.
“There will be partial observation of the Biafra Day on May 30th. But there will be a total lockdown and sit-at-home on Monday 31st of May.
“We therefore, expect Biafrans all over the world to stay indoors on May 31 for the respect and honor of our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the Supreme price for us to live.
“It is our right to remember them for defending the genocidal attacks given to our people between 1967 and 1970 by Fulani Jihadists supported by British government.
“Consequently, all commercial activities must be shut down on 31st of May throughout the land of Biafra. There should be no vehicular movement on that day on Biafra roads. Transport companies must withdraw from the road on that day.
“National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); National Associations of Road Transport Owners (NURTO); and others are expected to fully comply with this directive.
“In the same vein, artisans and traders must close shop on that day. Airports, Seaports, Banks and financial institutions should all shut down in honour of our fallen heroes and heroines.
“Okada and Tricycles organizations are also advised to withdraw from roads on that day. There shall be no social gatherings or events including burials, weddings on that day from 6am to 6pm.
“Parents are advised not to send their children to school on that day as no one is expected to be seen outside. Full compliance is expected from all.
“Biafrans in Diaspora are to hold peaceful rallies in their countries of abode.”
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared May 30, 2018 sit–at-home day in remembrance of the Biafra struggle, victims of Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram violence and those who died in the hands of security agencies in Nigeria.
In a statement on Friday by its spokesperson Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafra group urged the people of Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt, particularly Benue, Adamawa, Kogi, victims of herdsmen terrorism in Ondo State and other South West states to join IPOB in the protest.
Powerful stated that this year remembrance would also be a date to remember those that lost their lives because there was no one to defend them.
He said: “There will be no human, vehicular or animal movement across Biafraland on 30th May, 2018. Biafraland will be in total lock down. The people of Middle Belt and Yorubaland are advised to join this historic sit-at-home to honour the memory of all that died unjustly in Nigeria.
“Churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are encouraged to open their places of worship on the midnight of the 29th of May for special midnight prayers in remembrance of all that died as a result of violence. Special vigil will also be held at the homes of select Biafran heroes.”
IPOB noted that 30th of May is an annual remembrance event initiated by IPOB worldwide to honour fallen Biafran soldiers.