Monday lockdown: IPOB asks south-east residents to observe ‘total compliance’

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has insisted that its sit-at-home order in the south-east will begin on Monday.

TheCable had reported that IPOB said it will enforce a lockdown every Monday, from August 9, in the south-east until its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is released.

The proscribed group said the lockdown tagged “Ghost Monday” will also affect schools and marketplaces.

In a statement on Sunday, Emma Powerful, the group’s spokesperson, asked the residents of the region to consider the order as a sacrifice they must pay to secure Kanu’s freedom.

“We the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to remind all Biafrans and friends of Biafran that the Mondays sit-at-home order is sacrosanct,” he said.

“The entire Biafra land will be locked down every Monday from 6:00am to 6:00pm beginning from tomorrow, August 9, 2021 until our leader, Nnamdi Kanu who was abuducted in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria and locked up in DSS dungeon in clear violation of international laws is freed.

“Consequently, there will be no movement throughout Biafra land on Mondays until our leader who is suffering for our freedom is released. This protest is peaceful but firm. Everybody is advised to stay indoors in total compliance.

“We understand the economic implications of this measure but we are constrained to take it so that the world will know that our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not alone in the struggle for Biafra autonomy.

“We want his immediate release and our total freedom, and cannot hesitate to pay any sacrifice needed to achieve this including locking down the entire Biafra land on Mondays.

“All residents and visitors in Biafra land are advised to comply with the order. Nobody should go out to avoid any clash or intimidation by the wicked Nigeria security agents.”

The Abia government had asked residents of the state to disregard the sit-at-home order.

Following his arrest in Kenya in June and extradition to Nigeria, Kanu was re-arraigned on charges bordering on treasonable felony brought against him by the federal government over his campaign for the Republic of Biafra.