The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday announced the permanent cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home across South-East, saying the order came directly from its detained leader Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement signed by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, the group said the directive takes effect Monday, February 9, 2026, and urged residents to resume normal economic and social activities.
“The Monday sit-at-home across the South-East is officially and permanently cancelled,” the statement said, adding that the decision was taken to allow children to return to school and residents to “go about their lawful businesses without fear.”
IPOB said Kanu had “made it abundantly clear” that any individual or group attempting to enforce sit-at-home orders going forward would be acting against his command, and called on the public to remain calm and law-abiding.
The group also warned of possible attempts to intimidate residents through what it described as “false-flag operations”, urging vigilance while encouraging markets, schools, transport services and offices to reopen fully on Mondays.
At the same time, IPOB cautioned state authorities against punitive actions toward traders who might still choose to stay away from markets, saying governors have no right to threaten or shut businesses on that basis. It specifically referenced Chukwuma Soludo, saying any intimidation of traders would be resisted.
IPOB further said that any market renovations or relocations should proceed only with the consent of stakeholders and the provision of adequate temporary trading spaces.
The Monday sit-at-home, initially introduced as a protest linked to Kanu’s detention, has in recent years been associated with economic disruption and sporadic violence in parts of the South-East. Authorities have repeatedly said the orders are not sanctioned by the courts.
Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, has been in the custody of security services since 2021 and is facing terrorism-related charges, which he denies.
IPOB ended its statement by calling on residents to “open their shops, go to work, and send their children to school without fear,” declaring that “the era of Monday sit-at-home is over.”
