By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
The Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) has ordered a sit-at-home in the South-East on Tuesday in protest of President Muhammadu Buhari’s planned visit to Imo State .
Describing the Tuesday protest order as double-faceted, the group said it would be also in solidarity with its incarcerated leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who would appear in Abuja court same day.
The secessionists made the declaration at the weekend in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
It ordered all markets, schools, banks, businesses and companies including police stations to be under lock and key on that day.
It said, “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our indefatigable liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu wish to announce to the general public especially Biafrans that Tuesday 13th of September has been declared a day of civil action in the form of Sit-At-Home in Biafra Land.
“The Tuesday 13th September, 2022 civil action is very important for two reasons: First, Our Leader’s Appeal court hearing that was supposed to be on October 11th has been brought forward to 13th September, 2022. As usual, we call on Biafrans and lovers of freedom to demonstrate our solidarity with our leader who is bearing our yoke in detention for over a year now.
“IPOB never issued a new directives to Biafrans, but is simply implementing an existing order to lock down Biafra Land any day the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra will appear in court at Abuja.
“It was the agreement with our leader that informed the suspension of the initial Mondays sit-at-home declared by IPOB leadership in August of 2021. It is imparative that our people understand this and go about their daily work and businesses on Monday and get prepared for Tuesday the 13th of September 2022 because Biafraland will be locked down completely…
“There shall be a total lock down of the whole of Biafraland on Tuesday the 13th of September 2022. Buhari cannot be coming to Imo State while he continues to detain our leader Mazi Nnamdi in the DSS custody.
“We therefore, expect all markets, schools, banks, businesses and companies including police stations in Biafra Land to be under lock and key next week Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 in solidarity with our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“IPOB members are peaceful. We don’t enforce Sit at home, nevertheless we wouldn’t tolerate people flouting IPOB leadership directives. Therefore, everyone in Biafran territory must adhere to this civil action in the form of Sit -at home on Tuesday 13th September 2022. Biafrans are not known to be cowards because we stand without fear before our enemies.”