The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dismissed an alleged intelligence report suggesting plans to resume the sit-at-home order across Nigeria’s South-East, reiterating its opposition to compulsory shutdowns that disrupt residents’ daily activities.
The development comes months after IPOB announced the cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home directive, which had affected commercial activities, education, transportation and access to healthcare across the region.
In February 2026, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful announced that the group’s detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had ordered the permanent cancellation of the weekly exercise, directing residents to return to their normal activities without fear or intimidation.
The group maintained that anyone attempting to enforce the cancelled directive was acting contrary to Kanu’s instructions. It urged traders, workers, students and transport operators to resume normal operations, stressing the need to restore economic and social activities across the South-East.
IPOB has repeatedly distanced itself from sit-at-home orders attributed to individuals or factions operating in its name. The organisation has argued that such directives expose residents to hardship and create opportunities for criminal elements to intimidate members of the public.
In September 2026, an IPOB leadership statement also rejected compulsory sit-at-home orders and threats to disrupt elections, warning against actions capable of provoking violence or preventing residents from exercising their lawful rights.
The sit-at-home controversy has remained a significant security and economic concern in the South-East. Although the weekly directive has been cancelled by IPOB, reports have documented continued enforcement by groups claiming allegiance to the Biafran separatist cause, with incidents of violence and intimidation affecting residents and businesses.
However, the specific intelligence report referenced in the latest headline, including its source and the details of the alleged planned resumption, could not be independently verified from the available reports.
Residents are advised to rely on verified statements from relevant authorities and avoid spreading unconfirmed information that could create unnecessary fear or disrupt public activities.
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