The outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced that there would be a sit-at-home for Igbos across the country on 30 May.
The IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the civil action was intended to honour those who lost their lives while fighting for Biafra Independence since the struggle began in 1967.
The IPOB group spokesperson further asked people of the Southeast living in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria to join the sit-at-home order, warning all the residents of ‘Biafra territory’ not to endanger their lives or their businesses by disobeying the sit-at-home order as the directive is from the group leadership.
In his words: “This year’s event will be special and the one day sit-at-home in Biafraland will be total and will be from 6a.m to 6p.m on May 30, 2023. Every economic, social, religious, and political activity in Biafraland will be suspended, with the exception of hospitals, doctors, nurses, ambulances, and other health workers. All other people and workplaces are advised to sit at home.
“Once again only hospitals and health workers are free to open and go about on May 30, 2023 (Biafra Heroes and Heroines Remembrance Day) to take care of our ones and the pregnant mothers and all other sectors including police stations should be under locks and keys within Biafra territory.
“We call on industries, companies, transport companies (air, land, and sea) hotels, schools, and churches to shut down in honor of our heroes and heroines.
“Also, Biafrans in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria are encouraged to join the sit at home on that day, it’s only one day. We, therefore, advise Biafrans and other residents in Biafra territory to avoid endangering their lives or their businesses by obeying the sit-at-home order from IPOB leadership.
Speaking further, “Wherever our people are or gathered on that day, they must pray with lighted candles and must observe 3 minutes of silence immediately at 12 noon. Finally, the only joy and rest to appease our fallen heroes and heroines is Biafra restoration. So, we must continue.
“We remember those who died in the Nigeria genocidal war against Biafra, the mothers and fathers bombed in the market places, hospitals, churches, and those children that the Nigeria government starved to their early death. We cannot forget them till eternity.
In conclusion, “We also remember the victims of the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Sahara desert who died on the way to Europe in an attempt to escape the draconian and wicked economic and political policies against Biafrans by the Nigeria State.”
