The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Monday, February 2, 2026, a sit-at-home across the South-East in solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market.
The directive affects Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The development follows the decision of the Anambra State Government, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to shut the Onitsha Main Market for one week over continued observance of the sit-at-home order first declared by IPOB in July 2021.
Governor Soludo had said the sit-at-home was crippling the state’s economy and warned traders and residents against further compliance.
However, traders at the market said their action was in solidarity with IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently standing trial over charges linked to separatist agitation.
In a statement issued on Friday, IPOB accused the Anambra State Government of working with what it described as Abuja collaborators to undermine Igbo traders and the Biafran self-determination movement.
The group announced what it termed a Biafra-wide solidarity strike, calling for a total shutdown of economic activities across the South-East and other Biafran territories on February 2.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, 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, the statement said.
According to IPOB, the strike is a direct response to the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and alleged threats of further punitive measures against traders.
The group insisted that the sit-at-home was a voluntary act of solidarity by traders and not enforced by IPOB.
IPOB called on residents of the South-East to remain indoors on the said date and urged supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully.
The group also 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.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Government had yet to respond to the declaration.
