IPOB Sets May 30 as Biafra Day, Declares Complete Lockdown Across Southeast

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has officially designated Friday, May 30, 2025, as Biafra Day, calling for a total lockdown across the Southeast in solemn remembrance of Biafran heroes and heroines who lost their lives in the struggle for the actualization of Biafra. This declaration, made public through a signed statement by IPOB's spokesperson, Emma Powerful, outlines a day of reflection, reverence, and regional shutdown as the movement pushes forward with its annual memorial event.

This announcement is part of a wider commemorative effort by the group, which began earlier in the month with awareness campaigns and special broadcasts on Radio Biafra. The statement emphasized that the date holds immense historical and emotional significance to Biafrans at home and in the diaspora, as it marks the annual Biafra Heroes Memorial Day.

A solemn tone pervades the group’s message, as it appeals to the people of the Southeast region to remain indoors on May 30 in solidarity and to ensure their safety. IPOB reiterated that the lockdown is not only symbolic but also a necessary precaution to avoid any potential confrontation with security forces, whom they accuse of targeting innocent civilians during such events in previous years.

Describing the memorial as a “public holiday and lockdown throughout Biafra Land,” the group stressed that it is a day to “commemorate and pay tribute to our heroes, heroines, and those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Biafra’s liberation and independence.” According to IPOB, the 2025 edition will continue the tradition of honouring these individuals through lectures, radio programs, and awareness campaigns that span the month of May.

The statement also issued a stern advisory, warning residents against defying the lockdown order. IPOB stated unequivocally that anyone who ventures outdoors on the designated day does so at their own risk. The group pointed fingers at what it called the "ethnic prejudice" of the Nigerian security forces, accusing them of using such occasions to inflict violence on unarmed civilians under the guise of law enforcement.

“This year’s memorial will reach its peak on May 30, known as the Biafra Heroes Memorial Day,” the statement noted. “The leadership of IPOB has declared the day a free and total lockdown for all Biafrans in Biafran Land. All markets, schools, and transport services must shut down. Movement on roads must cease.”

Transport operators were specifically instructed to suspend all operations on that day. IPOB emphasized that staying indoors was not only a show of respect for the fallen but also a protective measure. “We recommend that everyone refrain from going outside and remain indoors in your homes on May 30th to steer clear of gunfire,” the group warned.

IPOB has long used May 30 as a symbolic day to highlight the Biafran cause and to spotlight the historical grievances it claims continue to affect the Southeast region. Over the years, the day has become one of both reflection and resistance, often marked by speeches, memorials, and clashes with security operatives.

With this declaration, IPOB is once again reaffirming its commitment to the memory of those who fought and died for Biafra. As the day approaches, the group’s media team is ramping up its campaign across social platforms and radio broadcasts, encouraging compliance with the lockdown and participation in virtual commemorations.

The group concluded its message with an appeal to the conscience of Biafrans and a resolute reminder of the cost of their ongoing struggle. "IPOB prioritizes the well-being of Ndigbo and has discovered methods to prevent the Nigerian State from killing our people as we continue to remember and celebrate our heroes."

As preparations intensify for the observance of Biafra Day, all eyes are on May 30, a day that will once again test the enduring tension between national unity and regional identity in Nigeria’s Southeast.