‎IPOB lawyer calls February 2 sit‑at‑home order fraudulent, urges residents to ignore It

ABUJA — The lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has dismissed the widely circulated February 2 sit‑at‑home order in the South‑East as fraudulent, urging residents to go about their normal activities.
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‎In a statement issued on Saturday, January 31, 2026, Ejiofor said the directive, which was attributed to IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, did not come from the group’s legitimate leadership.
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‎He warned that the platform associated with Powerful had been compromised and should not be trusted.
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‎“Let it be stated clearly: this directive is fake and a calculated falsehood,” Ejiofor said, emphasizing that residents should continue with lawful activities without fear.
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‎The order, which called for a Biafra‑wide lockdown in support of Onitsha Main Market traders and in demand of the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, had caused confusion across the region.
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‎ Ejiofor clarified that IPOB formally disowns the directive and urged the public to treat similar unverified announcements with suspicion.
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‎The controversy has sparked public debate, with some individuals still insisting the sit‑at‑home will hold despite the lawyer’s statement.
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‎Security agencies and state authorities have called on residents to ignore unverified social media orders and continue daily business to ensure stability in the South‑East.
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‎Sit‑at‑home orders have periodically disrupted life in the region, often tied to IPOB activities. This latest dispute highlights ongoing tensions over communication channels within or linked to the group, and their impact on residents’ daily lives.
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