IPOB denies plan to resume Monday sit-at-home in South-East
IPOB denies plan to resume Monday sit-at-home in South-East
The Indigenous People of Biafra has denied plans to resume enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home order in the South-East, insisting that its struggle is focused on achieving Biafran self-determination through peaceful means.
The group made the denial in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson and Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
IPOB accused the Nigeria Police Force of working with politicians and former members of the disbanded Directorate of State to circulate what it described as a false narrative about a planned resumption of the sit-at-home order.
Powerful said the allegations were contained in a purported police intelligence report dated October 9, 2026, which claimed that IPOB and the Eastern Security Network intended to resume enforcement of the order on October 12.
He described the document, bearing reference number CB:4089/FID/INTLAB/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.14/231 and purportedly signed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department, as fabricated.
The statement partly read, “The IPOB, under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, rejects the allegations contained in the purported police intelligence report dated October 9, 2026, which claims that IPOB/ESN intends to resume Monday sit-at-home enforcement from 12 October 2026.
“The Nigerian Police Force, acting in concert with unscrupulous politicians and residual elements of the sacked and long-expelled members of the compromised third administration of the Directorate of State, has once again recycled its tired and transparent propaganda script.
“The so-called ‘Intelligence Report’ dated October 9, 2026, bearing reference CB:4089/FID/INTLAB/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.14/231 and signed under the name of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, is a fabrication pure and simple.”
IPOB alleged that the purported report was intended to distract public attention from its leader Nnamdi Kanu’s position, which the group said was delivered at the AVID Convention.
The statement added, “There is no voice note. There is no order from IPOB or ESN to resume any sit-at-home. There is no plan by this movement to enforce anything on the people of the South-East or Imo State.
“IPOB has repeatedly stated, and we restate today with absolute clarity: we have no business with enforcement. Our struggle is political, lawful, and directed solely at the realisation of Biafran self-determination through peaceful means.”
The group also alleged that the withdrawal or redeployment of security personnel, the circulation of the purported intelligence report and an anonymous voice note were part of a pattern intended to create insecurity and blame IPOB.
“We had already raised the alarm that the recent withdrawal of security personnel was a deliberate prelude to the unleashing of another round of chaos in our land. The appearance of this forged intelligence report confirms that assessment,” the statement said.
IPOB called on the Federal Government and its alleged collaborators to stop what it described as propaganda and instead address issues including hunger, unemployment and insecurity, as well as Kanu’s continued detention, which it described as illegal.
The group also challenged the police to provide verifiable evidence for the allegations, including the original recording, its source and the basis for linking the alleged message to IPOB or ESN.
“The people of Biafra are not fools. They know this script by heart. They will not be deceived,” the statement added.
