Biafra: IPOB declares sit-at-home order for fallen heroes

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has designated May 30 as a day of mourning in the South-East to memorialise its fallen heroes and those who died during the civil war.

It was declared in a statement issued by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, on Monday.

According to the pro-Biafran organisation, the lockdown would be absolute, with no exceptions for hospitals, doctors, nurses, ambulances, and other health personnel.

Industries, businesses, transportation firms (air, land, and sea), hotels, schools, and churches are urged to close in respect of its heroes and heroines.

The statement read, “IPOB, ably led by the leader, Nnamdi Kanu, wishes to remind Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and lovers of Biafra freedom across the world that May 30 is sacrosanct and every Biafran must remember and honour those who died for us to live.

“We remember those who died in the Nigeria genocidal war against Biafra, the mothers and fathers bombed in the marketplaces, hospitals, churches, and those children that the Federal Government starved to their early death. We cannot forget them till eternity.

“We must remember those who died in slave chains and in tortures in the hands of the slave masters, those thrown overboard, and those that preferred death than to be taken as slaves. We remember them all.

“We remember our eternal leader, Ikemba Nnewi Dikedioranma Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, General Philip Efiong, Dr Frank Opigo, Okonko Ndem, Col. Achzie, Bruce Mayrock, Christian aid workers, Biafra aid volunteers, and many others who contribution during the civil war.

“We remember IPOB members who were brutally murdered during peaceful protests and rallies, those murdered in Aba, Onitsha, Asaba, Igweocha, Enugu, Nkpor, Ebonyi in cold blood by the Nigeria Army at the resident of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, in 2017.

“This year’s event will be special, and the one-day sit-at-home in Biafraland will be total and will be from 6am to 6pm 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.

“Also, Biafrans in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria are encouraged to join the sit-at-home order 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’s leadership.

“Wherever our people are or gathered on that day, they must pray with lit candles and must observe three 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’.”