IPOB Declares Shut Down Of Southeast Tomorrow Over Onitsha Market Closure

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared a total lockdown of the South East tomorrow, Monday, in solidarity with Anambra traders whose shops were closed by the Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

This was made known through a statement made available to newsmen by the spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, who stated that the protest would be voluntary and urged all schools, banks and other institutions to remain closed tomorrow.

He maintained that the protest would be a complete lockdown of all economic activities across Igboland.

According to him, the shutdown is a direct, peaceful and unified response to the actions of Governor Soludo, “who has shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week and threatened further month-long closures, revocation of land ownership, demolition and punitive repurposing if traders continue their legitimate observance of Monday sit-at-home in solidarity with our unjustly imprisoned leader.

“This strike is not enforcement; it is a voluntary, collective expression of outrage and solidarity with the hardworking traders of Onitsha, whose livelihoods are now under direct assault by a governor who has chosen to act as an enforcer for anti-people interests rather than a servant of his people.

“Soludo’s closure of Africa’s largest market, coupled with his threats to revoke allocations and rebuild in ‘public interest,’ is economic warfare against Biafrans.

It is designed to break the spirit of peaceful civil disobedience that has highlighted the injustice of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention despite sham proceedings.

“We remind Governor Soludo and his Abuja sponsors that the Monday sit-at-home originated as a peaceful protest, demanding the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the very cause that has galvanised global attention to Biafra’s quest for self-determination.

“Attempts to twist this into ‘economic sabotage’ will fail. The markets thrived during Christmas Mondays without any negative incident, proving that voluntary compliance stems from genuine solidarity, not fear. Soludo’s escalation only exposes his desperation to provoke confrontation at a time when Biafra’s international profile is rising and diplomatic efforts are gaining traction.

“On Monday, February 2, 2026, we call on all Biafran traders, transporters, banks, schools, civil servants, and every sector across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and beyond to observe this solidarity strike peacefully.

“Remain indoors, refrain from all commercial and public activities, and demonstrate to the world our disciplined resolve. This is not about disruption for its own sake; it is about standing with Onitsha traders who are being punished for demanding justice, and reaffirming that no governor can coerce free citizens into abandoning their rights or their solidarity.”

The group, however, stressed that they remain committed to non-violence and dialogue leading to a referendum on Biafran self-determination.

“We urge all to stay law-abiding, avoid provocations, and be vigilant against false flag operations meant to discredit our cause.

“The world must see that Biafrans are a peaceful, mature people fighting for freedom through legitimate means, not the chaotic region Nigerian lobbyists desperately portray.

“Soludo’s war on Onitsha traders is a war on all Biafrans. This strike will send a clear message: Touch one, touch all. Our leader’s prophecy endures, Biafra’s liberation is near and no amount of intimidation will stop it.”