IPOB Speaks on Alleged Plan to Resume Monday Sit-at-Home in South-East
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reacted to reports that it plans to resume the enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home order across the South-East, describing the allegations as false and politically motivated.
The group said it had no intention of compelling residents to stay at home on Mondays or enforcing any fresh restrictions on movement in the region.
IPOB made its position known in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson and Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
It accused the Nigeria Police Force of circulating a purported intelligence report linking the group and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to an alleged plan to revive the order.
The controversy followed the circulation of a document dated October 9, 2026, which reportedly claimed that IPOB and ESN intended to begin enforcing the sit-at-home order again on October 12.
The document, which purportedly carried a reference number and the signature of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department, was dismissed by IPOB as a fabrication.
In the statement, the group said, “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 document was intended to mislead residents of the South-East and create the impression that the group was preparing to introduce another round of sit-at-home enforcement.
Powerful also linked the development to what the organisation described as efforts to divert attention from comments attributed to its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, at the AVID Convention.
The group maintained that neither Kanu nor its leadership had issued a directive ordering residents to suspend commercial and social activities on Mondays.
“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 organisation said the alleged report, alongside an anonymous voice note said to be circulating, could create unnecessary fear among residents and business owners.
It further alleged that recent changes in the deployment of security personnel in parts of the region were connected to a wider attempt to create instability and subsequently blame the group.
“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.
However, the allegations against the police and other individuals were claims made by IPOB.
The statement did not independently establish who produced the disputed document or whether the police had verified the alleged voice note.
IPOB called on the Federal Government to address the security and economic challenges facing residents instead of allowing what it described as propaganda to dominate public discussion.
The group specifically mentioned hunger, unemployment and insecurity.
It also renewed its criticism of Kanu’s continued detention, which it described as illegal.
Kanu remains a central figure in IPOB’s campaign for Biafran self-determination.
His detention and the activities of the group have continued to feature in political and security discussions surrounding the South-East.
The sit-at-home order has also remained a major concern for residents, traders, transport operators, schools and businesses in the region.
Past enforcement of the order has disrupted economic and educational activities, while fears of attacks and other security threats have contributed to uncertainty over whether some establishments should open on designated days.
Although the circumstances surrounding the latest report remain disputed, IPOB insisted that it should not be held responsible for any purported directive that did not originate from its leadership.
The group challenged the police to provide verifiable evidence supporting the allegations, including the original recording of the alleged voice note, its source and any evidence connecting it to IPOB or ESN.
It argued that such evidence would help establish the authenticity of the claims and prevent residents from acting on unverified information.
“The people of Biafra are not fools. They know this script by heart. They will not be deceived,” the statement added.
Recall that Politics Nigeria earlier reported that IPOB had previously announced the cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home order, effective February 9, 2026
Nevertheless, the police had yet to provide a response to IPOB’s current allegations in the statement presented by the group.
Until the disputed report and the claims surrounding it are independently verified, the allegation of a planned resumption of enforcement remains contested.
