The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a sit-at-home across the South-East on Monday, February 2, 2026, in solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market.
The directive affects Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states. The group said the action was in response to the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market by the Anambra State Government.
Earlier, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the market closed for one week, citing the continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home, which he said was harming the state’s economy. The governor also warned traders against complying with the sit-at-home order.
However, traders at the market explained that their actions were in solidarity with the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently facing trial over charges linked to separatist agitation.
In a statement issued on Friday, IPOB accused the Anambra State Government of undermining the rights of Igbo traders and suppressing the Biafran self-determination struggle. The group announced what it called a “Biafra-wide solidarity strike,” calling for a complete shutdown of economic activities across the South-East and other Biafran areas on the stated date.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra, under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, hereby declares a Biafra-wide solidarity strike — a total lockdown of all economic activities across Igboland and wider Biafran territories — on Monday, February 2, 2026,” the statement said.
IPOB described the closure of the Onitsha Main Market as an attack on the livelihoods of traders, insisting that the sit-at-home was a voluntary expression of solidarity and not enforced by the group.
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The organisation urged residents of the South-East to remain indoors and suspend commercial activities on the day, while stressing that the action should be carried out peacefully and lawfully.
“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 also renewed its demand for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, accusing the Anambra State Government of escalating tensions through what it termed economic intimidation of traders.
As of the time of this report, the Anambra State Government has not issued an official response to the latest declaration.
