Biafra’s Monday Sit-at-Home Gradually Fades: Insights from the Defence Chief
The Monday sit-at-home orders in the Southeast region of Nigeria, primarily enforced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to demand the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, have significantly diminished. Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, announced on September 12, 2023, that the Nigerian Army, through Operation Udo Ka, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has effectively ended the sit-at-home order that had nearly crippled socio-economic activities in the region.
This development has led to a resurgence of commercial activities, with law-abiding citizens now able to conduct their businesses without fear. The reduction in the frequency and impact of these sit-at-home orders has been attributed to the concerted efforts of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in addressing the underlying issues and restoring order in the Southeast.
Despite these efforts, some groups continue to issue conflicting directives. For instance, in October 2024, a voice note circulated, calling for a two-day sit-at-home protest in the Southeast. However, Simon Ekpa, a leader of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, publicly disowned the order, clarifying that there was no sit-at-home scheduled for that period.