The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied any connection with the October 21 and 22 sit-at-home exercise being observed in some parts of Igbo land.

In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the pro-Biafra group clarified that it does not enforce sit-at-home orders without a valid reason and should not be linked with the ongoing sit-at-home order.

Already, commercial activities in Aba, Abia State, were disrupted following a sit-at-home declared by suspected pro-Biafra organisations. Schools, banks, markets, and other businesses remained closed. Major roads such as Azikiwe, Faulks, Ngwa, Aba-Owerri, Obohia, Ohanku, Ikot Ekpene, and the Aba Main Motor Park were deserted.

“IPOB did not order a two-day sit-at-home, and we don’t want to create panic over such inconsequential directives from infiltrators,” the group said.

The group stressed that it always makes public announcements when it declares a sit-at-home and urged the public to ignore what it described as an “obnoxious order” from criminals allegedly working to demonise IPOB.

“We chose not to issue a press statement on an inconsequential order from these infiltrators. IPOB is not in the habit of threatening Ndigbo. Whenever we declare a sit-at-home, we make it public.

“Our people should ignore such obnoxious orders from criminals working for the government to tarnish the peaceful image of the IPOB movement,” the statement read.