The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday, announced a sit-at-home directive across the South-East on Monday, February 2, 2026, declaring what it described as a “Biafra-wide solidarity strike” in response to the closure of the Onitsha Main Market by the Anambra State Government.
The planned action is expected to affect Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states, as IPOB called for a total suspension of economic and commercial activities across the region in solidarity with traders affected by the market shutdown.
The development follows an order by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who directed that the Onitsha Main Market be closed for one week. The governor said the decision was taken due to the continued observance of IPOB’s sit-at-home order, which he noted had been in place since July 30, 2021. Soludo warned that the practice was “severely undermining the economy of Anambra State” and cautioned traders against further compliance.
However, traders at the Onitsha Main Market insisted that their observance of the sit-at-home was voluntary and motivated by solidarity with the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently standing trial over charges related to separatist agitation.
In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman Emma Powerful, IPOB strongly criticised the Anambra State Government, accusing Governor Soludo of acting in concert with what it termed “Abuja collaborators” to intimidate Igbo traders and weaken the Biafran self-determination struggle.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra, under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby declares a Biafra-wide solidarity strike,” the statement said. “This entails a complete lockdown of all economic activities across Igboland and wider Biafran territories on Monday, February 2, 2026.”
According to IPOB, the sit-at-home directive was a direct response to the market closure and alleged threats of further punitive actions against traders. “This action is a direct response to the illegal closure of the Onitsha Main Market and the open threats against innocent traders for observing a peaceful sit-at-home,” the group said.
IPOB described the closure of the market as “an attack on the economic survival of Igbo traders,” insisting that the sit-at-home was not enforced by the organisation. “The Monday sit-at-home has always been a voluntary act of solidarity by the people with our unlawfully detained leader,” the statement added.
The group called on residents of the South-East and other Biafran territories to remain indoors on the said date and to refrain from all commercial activities. It also urged its supporters to ensure that the protest was conducted peacefully and without violence.
“On Monday, February 2, 2026, we call on all Biafrans across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and beyond to observe this solidarity strike peacefully and lawfully,” IPOB stated.
The group further reiterated its demand for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, accusing the Anambra State Government of escalating tensions through what it described as “economic intimidation” of traders and residents.
 on Friday, announced a sit-at-home directive across the South-East on Monday){kind=link}