‘It’s unconstitutional’ — police ask residents to ignore IPOB’s sit-at-home order in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi state police command has asked residents of the state to ignore a sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement on Monday, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the command’s spokesperson, said Faleye Olaleye, the commissioner of police, described the order as unconstitutional and unlawful.

The commissioner said the order can not stand.

“Police is aware of the statement in circulation by a group that called itself, Indigenous People of Biafra asking people to observe a sit-at-home from May 8 to May11, 2023 for reason best known to them,” the statement reads.

“The order is unconstitutional, unlawful and cannot stand.

“We therefore, enjoin the good people of Ebonyi to discountence the order and go about their lawful business without fear of intimidation as police is prepared, more than before to provide them with maximum protection for their safety.”

The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to oblige the force with information about threat to their safety in the state.

“We assure you that the command shall continue to be resilient in its determination to ensure criminal elements are denied the space to carry out their unlawful activities in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, IPOB has said there would be a sit-at-home in the south-east geo-political zone on May 30.

Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesperson, said in a statement that the sit-at-home order would be enforced to mark the “Biafra Heroes Day”.

“It is a special day set outside to remember our fallen comrades and those who paid the ultimate price for the liberation of Biafra in 1967-1970 and beyond,” the statement reads.