IPOB Orders Feb 2 Total Lockdown Across South-East Over Onitsha Market Shutdown

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Monday, February 2, 2026, a sit-at-home across the South-East, escalating tensions following the closure of the Onitsha Main Market by the Anambra State Government.

The sit-at-home is expected to affect Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states, with IPOB describing the action as a “Biafra-wide solidarity strike” in support of traders at the Onitsha Main Market.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo had on Monday ordered the closure of the market for one week, citing the continued observance of the weekly sit-at-home that has persisted in parts of the state since July 30, 2021. The governor warned that the exercise was crippling the state’s economy and vowed to clamp down on further compliance.

However, traders at the market said their decision to stay away from business was in solidarity with the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently standing trial on charges linked to separatist agitation.

In a statement issued on Friday,  IPOB accused Governor Soludo of working with what it termed “Abuja collaborators” to undermine the rights of Igbo traders and the broader Biafran self-determination struggle.

Announcing the shutdown, the group said, “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, hereby declares a Biafra-wide solidarity strike, a complete lockdown of all economic activities across Igboland and wider Biafran territories, on Monday, February 2, 2026.

“This action is a direct response to the closure of the Onitsha Main Market by the Anambra State Governor and threats of further punitive measures against traders for observing the Monday sit-at-home.”

IPOB described the market closure as an attack on the livelihoods of traders, insisting that the sit-at-home was a voluntary expression of solidarity and not enforced by the group.

The separatist group called on residents of the South-East to remain indoors and suspend commercial activities on the stated date, while urging supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

“On Monday, February 2, 2026, we call on all Biafrans across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and beyond to observe this solidarity strike peacefully,” the statement added.

IPOB also renewed its demand for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, accusing the Anambra State Government of heightening tensions through what it described as economic intimidation.