By Peter Omopo
A human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged residents of the South-East to disregard an alleged sit-at-home order scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, describing it as fraudulent.
The sit-at-home directive was reportedly issued by a faction of the pro-Biafran group through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, in protest against the Anambra State Government’s closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week. The closure was ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo following recent developments at the market.
However, in a statement released on Saturday, Ejiofor said IPOB had distanced itself from the directive, insisting that the platform issuing the order had been compromised and was no longer acting in the collective interest of Ndi-Igbo.
According to him, IPOB has categorically disowned the purported sit-at-home order and advised residents to go about their lawful activities without fear or intimidation.
Ejiofor stated that investigations revealed the source operating under the name “Emma Powerful” had been hijacked by vested interests who thrive on fear, disruption and exploitation of communities. He warned that such fake directives could reopen old wounds and provide opportunities for criminal elements to exploit the situation.
He further cautioned residents to treat any publication attributed to the platform with extreme suspicion, stressing that IPOB’s peaceful global movement would not support actions capable of undermining the fragile peace returning to the region.
Ejiofor called for greater clarity from the group, noting that silence or ambiguity could enable further misuse of false directives. He emphasised that IPOB remained committed to peace, progress and the collective wellbeing of the South-East, urging residents to remain calm and vigilant.
