The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has maintained that its sit-at-home directive in the south-east will commence on Monday.
The separatist movement had announced that there will be an enforcement of the order every Monday beginning from August 9, in the south-east until its incarcerated leader, Nnamdi Kanu, regains his freedom.
IPOB noted that the lockdown tagged “Ghost Monday” will also affect schools and marketplaces activities.
The group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a statement on Sunday, enjoined residents of the region to consider the order as a sacrifice they must pay to secure Kanu’s freedom.
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“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.”
In its reaction, the Abia government urged residents of the state to ignore the sit-at-home order.