By Rosemary Etim Bassey
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced that the Monday sit-at-home in the South-East has been cancelled.
The group said the decision was made by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and will take effect from Monday, February 9, 2026.
IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, shared the news in a statement released on Sunday. He explained that the order came directly from Kanu.
The sit-at-home was first introduced in August 2021 as a protest against Kanu’s arrest and detention. During this period, many schools, markets, banks and offices stayed closed every Monday.
According to IPOB, the new directive means that people are expected to return to their normal activities. Children should go to school, and adults should go to work and open their businesses as usual on Mondays.
In the statement, the group said the decision was made to help students continue their education without disruption and allow people to earn a living without fear.
IPOB also warned that anyone who tries to force people to stay at home on Mondays is acting against the group’s instruction. Such actions, the statement said, are no longer supported by its leadership.
The group encouraged residents of the South-East to go about their daily lives peacefully and lawfully.