The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on residents in the South-East to disregard any sit-at-home orders for October 21 and 22, asserting that these declarations did not originate from the group.
Recent videos and voice notes circulating on social media have warned residents to stay indoors on those dates, claiming that anyone who defies the order will face consequences. This has led to widespread panic and chaos, particularly in Anambra State, prompting various official and non-official engagements to be rescheduled.
A court clerk at the High Court in Onitsha confirmed to journalists that cases set for those days were postponed due to safety concerns. “We heard they have declared October 21 and 22 as a sit-at-home and that necessitated the rescheduling of every engagement on those days,” the clerk said, emphasizing the desire to avoid potential disruptions.
Additionally, a surge in panic buying was observed in major markets as residents rushed to complete transactions, fearing they would be stranded.
One school in Onitsha issued a notice to parents, stating that classes would not take place on October 21 and 22 due to the circulating threats. The notice read, “This is strictly for security reasons. Mid-term Break begins on Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024. Therefore, students are expected to resume school on Monday, 28th October, 2024.”
In response to the turmoil, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful stated in a phone interview, “IPOB did not declare any sit-at-home order on October 21 and 22. The illegal order is from criminal elements and infiltrators who are not our members. We urge our people to ignore this and continue with their normal business on those days.”
He further emphasized that IPOB has suspended all unnecessary sit-at-home orders, labeling any conflicting declarations as the work of “criminal elements” and urging the public not to give them undue attention.
