Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has directed the complete and permanent cessation of the weekly Monday sit-at-home across South-East Nigeria, bringing to a close a practice that has lasted for nearly five years.
The directive was communicated through IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, and is set to take effect from Monday, February 9, 2026. It applies across the five South-East states and represents a major shift in the group’s operational posture.
Under the new order, residents of the region have been urged to resume full economic, social, and educational activities on Mondays, including opening markets and businesses, returning to workplaces, operating transport services, and sending children back to school without apprehension.
Kanu stressed that no individual, faction, or group is authorized to enforce any form of sit-at-home going forward. IPOB warned that any attempt to impose restrictions or intimidate residents would be in direct violation of this instruction.
The group also raised concerns about possible criminal exploitation or false-flag actions, cautioning the public to remain vigilant and law-abiding as normal activities resume. It emphasized that acts of violence or coercion should not be attributed to IPOB.
The Monday sit-at-home was first introduced in 2021 as a protest against Kanu’s arrest and continued detention. Over time, however, it evolved into a weekly shutdown that significantly disrupted commerce, education, healthcare delivery, and general mobility in the region.
The prolonged enforcement of the directive had imposed substantial economic and social costs, with businesses recording losses, schools closing regularly, and residents navigating a persistent climate of fear and uncertainty.
Analysts view the cancellation as a strategic recalibration with the potential to restore productivity, rebuild public confidence, and improve the overall socio-economic outlook of the South-East, provided the directive is respected and effectively implemented by all stakeholders.
