Police Reject IPOB’s Sit-At-Home Order for Biafran Heroes Memorial, Assure Public of Security

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a major sit-at-home order on May 30, 2025, to commemorate the heroes and heroines who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970. The movement is seeking to observe the day in honor of those who died in the struggle for Biafra’s secession from Nigeria, a cause that remains significant to the organization’s identity.

The IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, has designated May 30, 2025, as a public holiday and has issued a directive that all movement across the South-East region should be restricted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on that day. According to the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the shutdown is intended to reflect on the historical events of the Biafran War and to ensure that the ultimate sacrifices made by Biafran soldiers and civilians are not forgotten. Schools, markets, churches, and public gatherings are all expected to halt as part of the observance.

Powerful further explained that the order will encompass air, sea, and road travel, and residents of the South-East region are urged to stay indoors during the specified hours to avoid confrontation with security forces. The group also called on Biafrans and supporters globally to join in memorial lectures and town hall meetings to commemorate the day. The diaspora community is being urged to engage in public demonstrations, showing solidarity with the cause for the restoration of Biafra.

The IPOB spokesperson additionally announced plans to coordinate with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to adjust the May/June Senior Secondary School Examination timetable in the region, so as to avoid any clashes with the proposed lockdown. The group has exempted essential services such as health workers, journalists, and emergency responders from the restrictions, ensuring that critical sectors can continue their operations uninterrupted.

However, the Nigerian police have firmly rejected the IPOB’s sit-at-home directive. The Anambra State Police Command issued a statement reassuring the public that they would be providing adequate security on May 30. According to Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the authorities are not aware of the lockdown order and have advised residents to go about their regular business without fear. 

“We will ensure the safety of anyone engaging in lawful activities,” Ikenga emphasized, underscoring that while the police would not compel anyone to leave their homes, they would take necessary measures to ensure peace and order.

In the statement, SP Ikenga made it clear that the police would maintain a vigilant presence across the region to prevent any disruptions or violence on that day. He also noted that the police are committed to ensuring that all law-abiding citizens are able to conduct their activities as usual. This marks a stark contrast to IPOB’s call for a total shutdown of all human activities within Biafran territory on May 30.

IPOB’s public holiday declaration for May 30 also includes honoring notable figures from the Biafran cause, including Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, General Philip Efiong, and others who fought against what they consider a genocide against their people during the Civil War. Powerful warned that any attempt by security forces to disrupt the planned memorial observance would result in serious consequences, advising all Biafrans to remain indoors to avoid any confrontation.

Tensions surrounding the observance are particularly high due to the violence that marred last year’s commemoration. In Abia State, clashes between IPOB members and military personnel led to fatalities, including the deaths of some soldiers. This year, the police have vowed to avoid a repeat of such confrontations, stressing the importance of peaceful observance.

The situation remains tense as both the IPOB and the police prepare for May 30. While IPOB continues to mobilize its members for what it describes as a solemn and reflective day of remembrance, the Nigerian police are working to ensure that security is maintained across the South-East region, striving to prevent any escalation of violence.

The coming days will reveal whether the two sides can find common ground, or if the day of remembrance will spark further clashes between IPOB supporters and security forces. Either way, the events of May 30 will once again draw national and international attention to the ongoing agitation for the recognition and restoration of Biafra.