, which is scheduled to){kind=link}
We are not aware of the lockdown order, but the residents are assured of adequate security and are encouraged to go about their lawful business without entertaining any fear – Police
The Nigerian Police have firmly rejected the sit-at-home directive issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is scheduled to take place on May 30, 2025.
IPOB’s directive seeks to impose a total shutdown across the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria in commemoration of Biafran Heroes Day. This annual observance honors the memory of those who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970.
According to IPOB’s announcement, the group has declared May 30 a public holiday in the South-East and imposed a total ban on movement by land, air, and sea from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The group warned that all forms of human and economic activity within what it describes as “Biafran territory” must come to a complete halt during the observance.
IPOB emphasized that the day would be used to pay tribute to prominent figures in the Biafran struggle, including the late Biafran leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Gen. Philip Efiong, Chief Dr. Frank Opigo, and Commander Ikonso, among others.
The organization called on Biafrans in the diaspora to stage town hall meetings and peaceful protests to amplify their demands for the restoration of the Biafran Republic and to commemorate the “genocide and destruction” allegedly perpetrated against the Igbo people by Nigerian and allied forces during the war.
In response, the Anambra State Police Command issued a public statement dismissing the sit-at-home order. The command reassured residents of their safety and urged them to ignore the directive and go about their lawful activities without fear of intimidation or violence.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga clarified that the police are not officially aware of any lockdown directive from IPOB. Nevertheless, he assured the public that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to maintain peace and security throughout the state and region.
Ikenga emphasized that while the police will not compel individuals to leave their homes if they choose to remain indoors, the security forces will ensure that those who choose to work or travel on May 30 are protected from any form of harassment or harm. He reiterated the state’s commitment to upholding law and order and ensuring that no unlawful directives disrupt normal life in the region.
IPOB, however, maintained that only individuals providing essential services—such as doctors, nurses, journalists, ambulance operators, and members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)—would be allowed to move freely during the lockdown period.
A spokesperson for IPOB, identified as “Powerful,” issued a stern warning, urging residents to comply with the directive to avoid confrontations or becoming unintended victims of violence, particularly from security operatives.
The tension surrounding the proposed sit-at-home order is heightened by the memory of last year’s commemorations, which resulted in violent clashes, especially in Abia State.
During those incidents, lives were lost, including among military personnel. Given the precedent, the Nigerian police have vowed to take all necessary precautions to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The ongoing standoff between IPOB and the Nigerian authorities continues to reflect the broader issues of ethnic nationalism, historical grievances, and regional unrest in the South-East.
As May 30 approaches, the situation remains sensitive, with many residents caught between loyalty to the memory of their fallen kinsmen and concerns about safety and economic survival. Authorities are calling for calm and vigilance, while reiterating their zero-tolerance stance toward separatist-driven disruptions.