The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has declared a sit-at-home on May 30.
IPOB declared the sit-at-home to remember those killed during the Biafra war and the struggle for self-determination.
During the sit-at-home, IPOB ordered a total shutdown of marketplaces, schools, churches, and all social gatherings.
The spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful, said only hospitals and medical personnel are allowed to operate during the sit-at-home across the Southeast.
A statement by Powerful reads partly: “The Indigenous People of Biafra, ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to remind Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and lovers of Biafra freedom across the world that May 30, 2023, is sacrosanct and every Biafran must remember and honour those who died for us to live.
“We must remember those who died in slave chains and in tortures at the hands of slave masters, those thrown overboard, and those that preferred death to being taken as slaves. We remember them all.
“We remember our eternal leader, Ikemba Nnewi Dikedioranma, DIM Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, General Philip Efiong, Dr Frank Opigo Okokon Ndem, Col. Achuzie, Bruce Mayrock, Christian Aid workers, Biafra Aid Volunteers, and many others whose contributions during Biafra and the Nigerian genocide against Biafrans are the reason why we are alive today. We must remember; we remember all!
“This year’s event will be special, and the one-day sit-at-home in Biafraland will be total and will be from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on May 30, 2023. Every economic, social, religious, and political activity in Biafraland will be suspended, with the exception of hospitals, doctors, nurses, ambulances, and other health workers. All other people and workplaces are advised to sit at home.”
Relatively, the Ebonyi State Police Command has directed the people of the state to disregard the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, scheduled for May 8 to May 11 in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Faleye Olaleye, described the sit-at-home as unconstitutional.
Olaleye’s directive was contained in a statement by the command spokesman, Onome Onovwakpoyeya.
Quoting Olaleye, Onovwakpoyeya said such a directive was unlawful and couldn’t stand.
“Police are aware of the statement in circulation by a group that called itself IPOB asking people to observe a sit-at-home from May 8 to May11, 2023.
“The people of Ebonyi should discountenance the order and go about their lawful business without fear of intimidation as Police is prepared,” he said.
He urged people of the state to go about their activities without intimidation and fear.
Olaleye charged members of the public to inform the police of threats to their safety.
