Photo used for illustration
Throwback Times Nigeria has learnt that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a sit-at-home scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, across the South-East states of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo, citing solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market.
The declaration follows a directive by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordering the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week. The governor said the decision was prompted by the continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home, which he described as detrimental to the state’s economy, and warned against further compliance.
Traders at the market, however, said the sit-at-home was a voluntary act of solidarity with the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently standing trial over charges linked to separatist agitation.
In a statement issued on Friday, IPOB accused Governor Soludo of collaborating with what it described as “Abuja collaborators” to undermine the economic rights of Igbo traders and the Biafran self-determination cause.
The group announced what it termed a “Biafra-wide solidarity strike,” calling for a total shutdown of economic activities across the South-East and other Biafran territories on the said date.
According to the statement, the action is in direct response to the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and alleged threats of further punitive measures against traders for observing the sit-at-home.
IPOB described the market closure as an attack on traders’ livelihoods, insisting that the sit-at-home was neither enforced nor coerced but a voluntary expression of solidarity.
The group urged residents to remain indoors and suspend commercial activities on February 2, while emphasizing that the action should be carried out peacefully and lawfully.
IPOB also renewed its call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, accusing the Anambra State Government of escalating tensions through what it described as economic intimidation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Government had not responded to the latest declaration.
Source: Throwback Times
