Despite being outlawed, IPOB again declares sit-at-home in 20 states

The Indigenous People of Biafra has once again declared May 30 as sit-at-home to honour those killed during Nigeria’s civil war and others unlawfully killed by security agencies and suspected herdsmen across the country.

The declaration is coming despite the group’s activities being outlawed by the Federal Government, who has listed the group as a terrorist organisation.

Last year the group’s sit-at-home order on May 30 recorded some success in the five states of South-East and partial compliance in some of its neighbouring states of South-South.

Announcing its May 30 sit at home order for this year in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group said that the exercise would be observed in about 20 states, including Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Plateau and Adamawa, where activities of herdsmen have left many unjustly massacred.

The group also listed South-West states where herdsmen killings have been felt, and then the South-East and the South-South states, which it has always included in its sit-at-home order in previous years.

“There will be no human, vehicular or animal movement across Biafraland on May 30, 2018. There will be total compliance in Biafraland. Middle Belt and Yorubaland brethren are advised to join this historic sit-at-home to honour the memory of all those who died unjustly in Nigeria.

“Churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are encouraged to open their places of worship at midnight on May 29 for special midnight prayers in remembrance of all those who died as a result of violence. The special vigil will be held at the homes of select Biafran heroes.

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“We are calling on all the people of Southern Kaduna, Middle Belt, especially Benue, Adamawa, Kogi, those affected by herdsmen terrorism in Ondo and other states in Yorubaland to join the great family of IPOB in observing a day of solemn prayer and sit-at-home to remember those that lost their lives unlawfully at the hands of Fulani terrorist herdsmen and security agencies.

“We shall also remember all the victims of Fulani herdsmen attacks, Boko Haram violence and those that died at the hands of Nigerian security agencies over the years, who nobody remembers.”

Stating that the sit-at-home coincided with the group’s annual Remembrance Day initiated worldwide to honour fallen Biafran soldiers, the statement added, “We owe our heroes of the class of 1967-70 an incalculable debt of gratitude and shall honour them annually until the end of time. We shall never forget them,” Powerful said.

 

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