From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared a total lockdown across Nigeria’s South-East region on Friday, May 30, to commemorate Biafra Heroes Memorial Day, honouring fallen heroes and heroines of the Biafran struggle.
IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, in a statement released to journalists, described the day as an annual public holiday and memorial for Biafrans.
“The public holiday and lockdown is an annual Memorial and Remembrance Day for Biafra Heroes and Heroines among Biafrans,” he said. The lockdown, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, will halt all economic, social, and academic activities, including transportation, schools, markets, and religious services, except for emergency services like ambulances, police, nurses, doctors, firefighters, journalists, and NUPENG workers.
Powerful urged Biafrans to stay indoors to pay tribute to those who died in the 1967–1970 Nigeria-Biafra war and subsequent struggles. “Simply stay inside and enjoy television and videos with your family while contemplating the memories and the genocide inflicted upon Biafrans from 1967 to the present day,” he stated. The group has planned memorial lectures and Radio Biafra broadcasts starting May 1, 2025, to honour figures like Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, General Phillip Efiong, Chief Dr. Frank Opigo, and Commander Ikonso.
IPOB has contacted the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to adjust the May/June SSCE exam schedule to avoid penalising students. “IPOB has already contacted WAEC to inform them of the lockdown directive in Biafran Land on the 30th of May, so they can modify the May/June SSCE exams schedule to serve all students,” Powerful noted. The group also notified governors in the South-East and South-South regions of the lockdown mandate.
To avoid violence, IPOB prohibited protests in Nigeria, citing past attacks by security forces. “No protests will take place in Biafra or anywhere in Nigeria to prevent being harmed by the lethal Nigerian security forces,” Powerful warned, encouraging Biafrans abroad to hold permitted demonstrations against the detention of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Powerful emphasised the lockdown’s necessity due to previous violent responses by Nigerian authorities. “We recommend that everyone refrain from going outside and remain indoors in your homes on May 30th to steer clear of gunfire from the ethnic prejudice of the Nigerian Police and Military,” he cautioned, adding that those who ignore the order do so at their own risk.