IPOB Cancels Sit-at-Home Order Based On Kanu Directives

Social media posts circulating on February 8, 2026, claim the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cancelled sit-at-home orders following a directive from detained leader Nnamdi Kanu. However, verification remains challenging given Kanu’s continued incarceration at Nigeria’s Department of State Services facility following his November 2025 terrorism conviction and life sentence.

IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful previously announced a one-day sit-at-home for February 2, 2026, across southeastern states, including Anambra, Abia, and Enugu—characterizing it as “a one-off action” tied to Kanu’s legal proceedings rather than a recurring directive. No official IPOB statement confirming a blanket cancellation of future sit-at-home orders has been issued through recognized movement channels as of February 8.

The situation poses verification challenges: Kanu, held in restricted detention with limited access to communication, cannot independently issue public directives without court-sanctioned channels or legal representation. Unverified social media accounts have previously circulated conflicting claims about sit-at-home schedules, confusing residents.

Southeastern state governments, including Anambra under Governor Charles Soludo, have consistently opposed enforced lockdowns, ordering markets to remain open and directing security agencies to protect citizens’ constitutional right to movement. IPOB has remained proscribed as a terrorist organization under Nigerian law since 2017.

Residents in southeastern Nigeria are advised to rely on official state government communications and verified security advisories rather than unconfirmed social media posts regarding movement restrictions. Nigerian authorities continue monitoring compliance while emphasizing that forced sit-at-homes violate fundamental rights.