The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday announced that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has ordered that the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East “is officially and permanently cancelled with effect from tomorrow, Monday, February 9, 2026.”
To this effect, IPOB Spokesperson, Emma Powerful said all children in the school should “return to school every Monday and that our people go about their lawful businesses without fear, intimidation, or molestation.”
The statement stated that “any person in doubt should visit Sokoto Correctional Centre to confirm with him. We can no longer hide under, “Onyendu cannot be reached to confirm” to persist with our recalcitrance or docility. Monday sit-at-home is over. That era is gone!
“There is now no need, excuse, or justification for anyone to stay at home on Mondays. All markets, schools, offices, transport services, and economic activities must resume fully and normally from tomorrow.”
Noting that “this is the clear and unequivocal order” from its leader, IPOB said “any individual or group attempting to enforce sit-at-home from this moment forward is acting against his direct command. Such persons are enemies of our people and the Biafran cause. They will be pursued to the ends of the earth and confronted until they are completely defeated.
“We are aware that enemies of Biafra may attempt false-flag operations designed to create fear, stage attacks, or intimidate our people into staying indoors. Let it be known that any person or group identified as enforcing or enabling sit-at-home will be confronted wherever they are. Our people must remain vigilant, calm, and law-abiding.
“At the same time, IPOB wishes to make it clear that no State Governor has the right to threaten, demolish, or forcibly shut down the businesses of traders who, out of conscience, choose to sit at home in solidarity with our leader. Any attempt by Governor Soludo or any other governor to intimidate our people with demolition threats or forced market closures will be firmly resisted.
“Furthermore, any renovation, reconstruction, or improvement of markets that involves temporary relocation must be carried out only with the consent of all stakeholders. Adequate temporary trading sites must be provided before any such projects commence.
“Our enemies have in the past succeeded in instigating crises and planting seeds of discord among our people. We must not allow them to succeed again. We are one people, united by a common destiny. Our struggle is for freedom, dignity, and justice for all, not just for Biafrans.
“We therefore call on all our people across the South-East to come out tomorrow, open their shops, go to work, and send their children to school without fear. The era of Monday sit-at-home is over.
This comes after an open fighting between the IPOB Directorate of State (DOS) and its Spokesperson using the pseudonym “Emma Powerful” over the declaration of Monday, 2 February 2026 as sit-at-home. While the DOS categorically stated that it did not authorise any individual or group whatsoever to issue a lockdown or sit-at-home order, the Spokesperson Emma Powerful insisted on its holding.
Meanwhile, the traders in Anambra State, especially at the Onitsha Main market, defied the IPOB and reported en masse at their places of business Monday, 2 February 2026 following the threat by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to sanction any absentee trader.
Last Monday, Soludo declared: “Ndi Anambra are taking back their day, their economy, and their future. Today marks an end to the sit-at-home.
“I am satisfied with the large turnout of traders at the Onitsha Main Market today; it is impressive the number of people that have come to make purchases.”
The sit-at-home order was imposed by the Biafra separatist group in 2021, and the development has crippled economic life in the South-East for nearly five years.