The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared 30th May, a compulsory sit-at-home for Igbos in Nigeria.
The mandate is intended to let the Igbos honour the Biafra Remembrance Day celebration.
The separatist group said every ‘Biafran’ (that is, a person native of any state in Southeastern Nigeria) acknowledge in honour those who died struggling to redeem Biafra during the Nigerian civil war.
IPOB made this declaration on Monday, 8th May, during a press statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful. He had ordered that all businesses, schools and churches across the Southeast region of Nigeria closed on that day.
Additionally, he mentioned that the order applies to the Igbos living in Lagos and other parts of the country. He advised those under the mandate to avoid endangering their lives or businesses by complying with the order.
Powerful said, “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.
“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. “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.”
