The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly denied claims that it issued a one-month sit-at-home order in the South East. The group, which has been known for its pro-Biafra stance, dismissed the allegations as false and aimed at causing confusion among the people.
In a statement released to the media on Friday, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, clarified that the group had not and would not issue such an order. “For public records, IPOB did not issue any threat and will never issue any threat to our people. IPOB can never impose any hardship on our people by issuing a one-month lockdown,” Powerful stated.
The statement went on to emphasize that IPOB and its members are the same people, suggesting that it would be illogical for them to impose hardship on themselves. “IPOB is the people and the people are the IPOB; therefore, we cannot punish ourselves. Therefore, ignore it,” he added.
According to Powerful, the supposed threat originated from an individual identified as a Nigerian Government agent in Finland. This person allegedly claimed on social media to have imposed a one-month lockdown and threatened attacks on Nigerian security and government establishments.
Powerful questioned why the Nigerian government and police had not taken action against this individual and his supposed criminal associates. He urged the people of the South East to be cautious and not fall victim to what he described as attempts by “sponsored criminals” to destabilize the region. “Only a criminal agent will threaten Ndigbo with a 30-day lockdown in this cruel economic hardship of Tinubu’s government,” he said.
The group urged residents to report any attempts to enforce the alleged lockdown to IPOB and to take action against anyone attempting to impose such restrictions. “We call on Ndigbo, the vigilantes, and the Igbo youths to cooperate with IPOB and ESN [Eastern Security Network] to secure our land from criminals,” Powerful said.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a separatist group advocating for the independence of Biafra, a region predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group. IPOB has been a significant player in the South East, often engaging in protests and other activities to push for Biafra’s secession from Nigeria.
Over the years, IPOB has been associated with various sit-at-home orders, often to mark anniversaries or protests related to their cause. These orders, typically observed on Mondays or specific dates, have sometimes led to significant disruptions in the South East, affecting businesses and daily activities.
However, the recent denial of a one-month sit-at-home order comes at a time when the South East is already grappling with economic challenges and insecurity. The region has experienced several instances of unrest and violence, often attributed to clashes between security forces and pro-Biafra agitators.
The statement from IPOB also reflects ongoing tensions between the group and the Nigerian government. The government has frequently accused IPOB of being behind violent activities and disruptions in the region, while IPOB maintains that many of these claims are unfounded and politically motivated.
