“Soludo Wants to Foment Insecurity, Sabotage Biafra Struggle,” IPOB Says on Onitsha Market Closure Enforcement

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, of deliberately fueling insecurity in the South-East, alleging that his actions are aimed at undermining the group’s campaign for Biafra.

IPOB made the allegation in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, following the deployment of armoured vehicles and heavily armed security personnel to enforce the closure of Onitsha Main Market on Tuesday.

Governor Soludo had ordered the market shut for one week after traders reportedly failed to open their shops on Monday, citing the sit-at-home directive observed across the South-East. The governor warned that the closure could be extended to one month if traders failed to resume business the following week.

IPOB rejected the directive and had earlier called on traders to open their shops on Tuesday. However, security operatives were deployed to ensure compliance with the closure order.

Condemning the action, IPOB accused the state government of violating human rights and democratic norms. The group alleged that security forces fired live ammunition during protests by traders, a claim it said could worsen tensions and put civilians at risk.

In its statement, IPOB warned that the use of force against unarmed citizens could be counterproductive and further escalate insecurity in the region. The group called on human rights organisations and the international community to intervene and urged security agencies to refrain from the use of live bullets during civil protests.

IPOB maintained that it remains committed to a peaceful process and dialogue, including a referendum on self-determination, and appealed to protesters to remain law-abiding despite what it described as provocation by state authorities.

The Anambra State Government has yet to officially respond to the allegations.