MAY 30: Military, Police Assure Safety as Anambra Observes IPOB’s Biafra Day Sit-at-Home

 

Security Forces Fortify Anambra as IPOB Declares Biafra Day Sit-at-Home

Security operations across Anambra State have been significantly intensified following a sit-at-home directive declared by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), scheduled for May 30. The directive, issued in memory of those who lost their lives during the Biafra civil war, has prompted a swift and widespread response from the Nigerian Police and military forces, aimed at averting any possible breakdown of law and order.

A coalition of security forces led by the Nigeria Police Force has taken proactive steps to secure strategic locations in cities including Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, Oraifite, and other communities across the state. These measures form part of a coordinated strategy to neutralize any attempts at disruption and ensure the safety of residents and public infrastructure.

According to a press statement from the Anambra State Police Command, the decision followed a closed-door meeting by a Joint Security Task Force. The task force comprises the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as military formations including the Nigerian Army and Navy.

Spokesperson for the Anambra Police Command, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, said the move was informed by intelligence reports and the need to prevent any criminal elements from taking advantage of the IPOB directive.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, who presided over the security meeting, emphasized the importance of unity between the people of Anambra and the state’s security agencies. He noted that the recent collaboration between communities and law enforcement has yielded positive outcomes, particularly in intelligence gathering and crime prevention.

The police reassured residents of their readiness to maintain peace and security. Patrols have been scaled up and officers are stationed at key junctions and locations considered sensitive. The public has been encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity using the provided emergency contact numbers: 07039194332 and 08039334002.

Security operatives stressed that the so-called sit-at-home order lacks any legal backing and urged the public to go about their normal activities, including students who are sitting for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.

Adding military weight to the operation, the Nigerian Army has bolstered the presence of troops under Operation Udo Ka, particularly in areas previously noted for high IPOB activity. Colonel Adamu Kabiru Mohammed, Sector Commander for Sector 5, stated that military deployments had been optimized to provide blanket security coverage throughout the state and the wider South-East region.

While addressing journalists at the military’s operational base in Orsumoghu, a town in Ihiala Local Government Area formerly regarded as an IPOB stronghold, Col. Mohammed disclosed that military and local security operatives had successfully flushed out remnants of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), IPOB’s armed wing, from the area.

He expressed confidence that WAEC candidates would be able to write their exams without incident. “We’ve made adequate arrangements around all exam centers and schools. Our patrols have been intensified to preempt any attempts to cause panic or chaos,” Mohammed noted.

Efforts to dismantle IPOB's influence in Orsumoghu have seen some success, according to the military. The area, once a hotbed of separatist agitation and violence, has reportedly seen significant improvement in security. Mohammed credited these gains to collaborative operations involving the military, vigilante groups, and other law enforcement agencies.

Despite IPOB’s history of using fear tactics—such as attacks in remote areas followed by widely circulated propaganda videos—the Nigerian military has vowed to continue its campaign against such strategies, focusing on community engagement, real-time intelligence, and rapid response deployments.

Parents and students, who initially expressed concern over the looming sit-at-home directive, have been urged to disregard the order and continue their activities without fear. The military emphasized that any attempt by IPOB to enforce the order will be met with firm resistance.

Authorities are calling on residents to actively support the ongoing security efforts by reporting threats and cooperating with the forces deployed across the state. The call for public cooperation is seen as a critical element in ensuring that law and order are preserved not just during the sit-at-home period, but beyond it.

By reinforcing security infrastructure, deploying joint task forces, and fostering collaboration with local communities, Anambra State appears poised to counter any form of civil disruption posed by the May 30 sit-at-home directive. The commitment of the police and military to safeguarding lives and property remains resolute as they continue to assure the public of their preparedness and determination to maintain peace across the region.