The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused governments in the South-East of Nigeria of working together to weaken the renewed agitation for the restoration of Biafra. The group said the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market by the Anambra State Government is part of a wider plan to create tension in the region and slow down its campaign.
IPOB made the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful. The statement followed the decision of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders stayed away from work on Monday to observe the weekly sit-at-home protest common in the South-East.
According to IPOB, the action by the governor and his warning that more markets could be closed show what it described as a “grand conspiracy” by South-East governors, acting with the support of the Federal Government, to sabotage the Biafra movement from within.
The group said the move could also reverse the relative calm that has returned to parts of the South-East after months of insecurity that affected businesses, schools, and daily life.
In the statement titled “Soludo’s reckless threats unmask a sinister plot to undermine Biafra’s peaceful struggle and foment instability in Igboland,” IPOB strongly criticised the governor’s decision and language.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, condemns the threats by Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo to revoke market ownership and rebuild them as punishment for traders observing Monday sit-at-home,” the statement said.
IPOB claimed that the sit-at-home action is a peaceful and voluntary protest by traders and business owners, aimed at demanding the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and calling attention to the Biafra cause.
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, has been in detention since 2021 after his arrest and extradition to Nigeria. His case has remained a major issue for his supporters, many of whom see his continued detention as unjust. The sit-at-home protest began as a way to draw attention to his situation and has since become a regular feature in parts of the South-East, especially on Mondays.
Governor Soludo, however, has taken a firm stand against the sit-at-home practice. On Tuesday, armoured vehicles and heavily armed security personnel were deployed around the Onitsha Main Market to enforce the closure. The market is widely regarded as the largest in West Africa and plays a key role in the economy of Anambra State and the wider region.
The governor ordered that the market remain closed for one week and warned that it would be shut for a full month if traders failed to return to work when it reopens next Monday. He also threatened to extend the closure to at least 12 other markets across the state if traders continue to observe sit-at-home.
The Anambra State Government has argued that sit-at-home orders harm the local economy, reduce state revenue, and put pressure on traders who depend on daily sales to survive. Officials have also said that the practice is sometimes enforced through fear and intimidation, even when IPOB publicly denies involvement in violent enforcement.
IPOB rejected these claims and questioned the timing of the governor’s action.
“Why now?” the group asked in its statement. “The governor himself admitted that during the Christmas season, markets opened on Mondays without any problem. This shows that traders are not acting out of fear but are choosing, on their own, to observe sit-at-home in solidarity with our leader.”
The group accused authorities of spreading what it called false narratives to hide the real reason behind the protest, which it said is the demand for justice and self-determination.
The South-East has experienced long periods of unrest in recent years, with attacks on security agencies, clashes between armed groups and government forces, and frequent shutdowns of economic activities. These events have deeply affected trade, transport, and investment in the region.
In recent months, however, there has been a noticeable return of normal life in some areas, with markets opening more regularly and schools resuming. IPOB claimed its members and representatives had worked to maintain peace during this period.
The group warned that the actions of the Anambra State Government could threaten this fragile calm.
“Despite the conviction and life sentence handed to our leader, which we reject, our people have tried to maintain peace. Soludo’s actions risk undoing these efforts and pushing the region back into chaos,” the statement said.
IPOB also alleged that the Federal Government is behind the actions of South-East governors, claiming that Abuja is trying to present the region as unstable to the international community. The group said this was aimed at weakening international support for the Biafra cause.
The statement accused the government of spending money on foreign lobbyists to portray the South-East as unsafe and ungovernable. IPOB warned that careless words and actions by local leaders could support this narrative.
In a strong comparison, IPOB said that no governor from other regions, such as the South-West or the North, would treat traders in such a manner. It described Governor Soludo’s actions as a betrayal of his own people.
The group also warned its members to be alert to what it described as “false flag operations” and provocation that could be used to justify further crackdowns in the region. It referred to past violence in Imo State as an example of what it fears could happen if tensions rise again.
Despite its harsh criticism, IPOB called on its supporters to remain calm and avoid violence. The group said it remains committed to non-violent resistance and dialogue.
“We urge our people to stay disciplined and peaceful. The world must see our maturity and commitment to justice, not the chaos our opponents want to create,” the statement said.
IPOB also appealed to the international community, human rights organisations, and Nigerians across the country to speak out against what it described as “inflammatory threats” that could damage lives and livelihoods.
As the situation develops, traders in Onitsha and other parts of Anambra State remain uncertain about what will happen when the market reopens. Many depend on daily trade to feed their families, and prolonged closures could have serious economic effects.