The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it has cancelled the Monday sit-at-home across the south-east with immediate effect.
In a statement on Sunday, Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesperson, said the directive was issued by Nnamdi Kanu, the group’s imprisoned leader, urging residents to return to work, reopen markets and send their children to school without fear.
Powerful said Kanu, currently serving a life sentence for treason, took the decision to ensure that normal life resumes across the south-east, adding that there is “no longer any justification” for residents to stay indoors on Mondays.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby announces to the entire world that the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East is officially and permanently cancelled with effect from tomorrow, Monday, February 9, 2026,” the statement reads.
The group’s spokesperson warned that anyone attempting to enforce sit-at-home going forward would be acting against Kanu’s directive.
The Monday sit-at-home began in 2021 as a protest against the arrest and continued detention of Kanu, who was extradited to Nigeria from Kenya to stand trial on terrorism-related charges.
“There is now no need, excuse, or justification for anyone to stay at home on Mondays,” Powerful said.
The sit-at-home, initially observed on specific days to coincide with Kanu’s court appearances, later became a weekly exercise, often enforced violently by armed groups.
Although IPOB later announced that it had suspended the sit-at-home, compliance persisted in many parts of the south-east amid attacks, threats and fear.
The development led to heavy economic losses, school closures and repeated calls by state governments for residents to ignore the order.
However, in recent months, some south-east governors have openly moved to end the practice.
Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, ordered the reopening of markets and schools on Mondays, warning that the state government would no longer tolerate enforced shutdowns.
Soludo also directed that markets shut under the guise of sit-at-home be reopened, and threatened sanctions against public servants, including teachers, who fail to report for work on Mondays.
The governor said salaries would be deducted from erring workers, insisting that there is no official sit-at-home policy in the state.
Reacting, IPOB accused state governments of using intimidation, including market closures and threats of demolition, against traders and workers.
The group said governors have no right to forcefully shut markets or threaten citizens who choose to stay at home out of “personal conviction”.
But IPOB reiterated that Kanu has now ordered a complete end to the Monday sit-at-home and called on residents of the south-east region to go about their lawful businesses without fear.
“The era of Monday sit-at-home is over,” the group said, urging people to remain law-abiding and vigilant.
