The South-East's Monday sit-at-home edict has been completely and permanently cancelled by the banned Indigenous People of Biafra, with effect from Monday, February 9, 2026.

In a news release released on Sunday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful announced the announcement.

According to Powerful, Nnamdi Kanu, the group's leader, gave the order directly.

The pro-Biafran group first announced the sit-at-home in August 2021 in protest of Kanu's deportation to Nigeria and subsequent imprisonment. Banks, offices, schools, and markets were all closed for the observance.

Powerful clarified that there is no reason, excuse, or need for anyone to spend Mondays at home under the new policy. Markets, schools, workplaces, transportation, and economic activity must all completely and regularly reopen on Monday, he emphasised.

“The IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, hereby announces to the entire world that the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East is officially and permanently cancelled with effect from tomorrow, Monday, February 9, 2026,” the message said in part.

"Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu himself issued this command, putting everything on the line once more to guarantee that our children attend school on Mondays and that our people conduct their legal business without fear, intimidation, or harassment.

“Any person in doubt should visit Sokoto Correctional Centre to confirm with him. We can no longer hide under ‘Onyendu cannot be reached to confirm’ to persist with our recalcitrance or docility. Monday sit-at-home is over. That era is gone!

“There is now no need, excuse or justification for anyone to stay at home on Mondays. All markets, schools, offices, transport services and economic activities must resume fully and normally from tomorrow. This is the clear and unequivocal order of the Supreme Leader of IPOB.”

Kanu "has made it abundantly clear that any individual or group attempting to enforce sit-at-home from this moment forward is acting against his direct command," the statement added. These individuals are adversaries of both the Biafran cause and our people. They will be confronted until they are totally vanquished and hunted down until the end of the world.

The group emphasised that under false pretences, some people are trying to incite panic, plan attacks, or threaten others into staying inside.

The statement went on to say: "Any individual or organization found to be encouraging or facilitating sit-at-home will face consequences no matter where they are. Our citizens must continue to be watchful, composed, and law-abiding.

“At the same time, IPOB wishes to make it clear that no state governor has the right to threaten, demolish or forcibly shut down the businesses of traders who, out of conscience, choose to sit at home in solidarity with our leader.

“Any attempt by Governor Soludo or any other governor to intimidate our people with demolition threats or forced market closures will be firmly resisted.”

The group asserts that all stakeholders must agree before any market enhancement, refurbishment, or rebuilding that calls for temporary relocation can take place. It further stated that before such initiatives start, sufficient temporary trading venues must be made available.

"In the past, our adversaries have been successful in creating crises and sowing the seeds of discord among our people," the statement went on. We can't let them get away with it. Our shared destiny unites us as one people. Not just for Biafrans, but for everyone, we fight for justice, freedom, and dignity.

Therefore, we urge everyone in the South-East to come out tomorrow, open their businesses, report to work, and drop their kids off at school without fear.

“The era of Monday sit-at-home is over,” the statement concluded.