Tension Escalates in South-east as Police Clash with IPOB Over Sit-at-Home Order

In Nigeria’s South-east, anxiety grows as security forces confront the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over their announced sit-at-home order.

Earlier this month, IPOB declared that May 30 would be a sit-at-home day across the South-east to commemorate Biafra Day, an annual event honoring those who died in the fight for Biafra’s independence. Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson, stated that the day remembers members who died “in the fight for freedom” and called for all schools, government offices, private businesses, banks, and transport unions to shut down in observance.

In a conflicting announcement, Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of IPOB’s Auto Pilot group, extended the sit-at-home order to three days, from May 29 to 31, to allow “Biafrans to vote for the Liberation of Biafra.” Ekpa, based in Finland, urged Igbos and supporters to honor Biafran heroes who died during the Nigerian civil war.

WAEC examinations, including a General Mathematics exam scheduled for May 30, were called into question due to the sit-at-home order.

Police Response

In response, the Anambra State police vowed to thwart the separatists’ plans. Tochukwu Ikenga, the state’s police spokesperson, reassured residents that the police, alongside other security agencies, had mobilized to ensure safety. He disclosed that some IPOB members were using outdated videos to spread fear and enforce the illegal order.

Police in Anambra State intercepted a gang of armed men planning to enforce the order, capturing one suspect while the others escaped with injuries.

Similarly, in Imo State, police have taken measures to resist the sit-at-home directive. Henry Okoye, Imo State police spokesperson, urged residents to disregard the order and assured that security operatives had been deployed across the state to maintain peace.

Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma emphasized the joint efforts of police, military, civil defense, and other agencies to secure the state. He warned that any disruption would be met with strict action and urged citizens to report suspicious activities.