The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has called on residents of the South-East to disregard the widely circulated sit-at-home order for October 21 and 22, labeling it as fake and not issued by the group.
Over the past two weeks, video clips and voice notes have spread on social media, urging people to stay indoors on those dates, and warning of consequences for non-compliance.
These messages have fueled anxiety, especially in Anambra, where many official and unofficial activities scheduled for those days have been postponed. Courts have rescheduled hearings, and schools have canceled classes due to fears of unrest.
A court clerk in Onitsha, who requested anonymity, confirmed that cases were rescheduled to prevent the risk of attacks during prisoner transport. “The rescheduling is to avoid a situation where hoodlums might hijack vehicles transporting suspects to the court,” the clerk explained. Similarly, schools in the region have sent notices to parents informing them of precautionary closures.
Panic buying has also been observed in major markets across the region as residents rush to prepare for the potential unrest.
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However, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, clarified that the group is not behind the sit-at-home order, which he attributed to criminal elements and Finland-based infiltrators acting independently. In an interview, Powerful urged residents to continue their normal activities and ignore the false directive.
“IPOB did not declare any sit-at-home on October 21 and 22. This illegal order is from infiltrators and criminals. We urge our people to ignore it and go about their business,” he said.
Powerful stressed that IPOB no longer supports sit-at-home actions, having suspended them, and warned that anyone declaring such orders is acting without the group’s authority.
“We don’t want to discuss this further to avoid giving undue attention to these criminal elements,” he added.
The clarification aims to dispel fears and restore normalcy to the region amidst rising concerns over security and stability.
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