The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced that residents and traders in Anambra State will resume full business activities on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, insisting that the decision is a lawful exercise of citizens’ rights and not a challenge to any government directive.
In an urgent press statement issued on Monday, IPOB said its members and sympathisers across Anambra should open their shops and markets, stressing that the Igbo people have an inalienable right to pursue their livelihoods without intimidation.
“Our Businesses Were Built Without Government Help”
The group argued that Igbo entrepreneurs independently built their businesses without support from the state, recalling that no relief was provided during COVID-19 lockdowns. IPOB further referenced historical hardships, including the Nigeria–Biafra War, to underline what it described as the resilience and self-reliance of the Igbo people.
According to the statement, history shows that attempts to suppress the economic activities of the people have always failed, adding that the Igbo spirit of resistance cannot be broken by force or threats.
Warning to Soludo, Security Agencies
IPOB issued a stern warning to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, urging him to avoid any action that could lead to confrontation. The group cautioned against the deployment of security forces to disrupt commercial activities, warning that arrests, harassment, or violence would have serious consequences.
The organisation maintained that it is not seeking confrontation with the Anambra State Government but demands respect for what it described as the “collective will of the people.”
Demand for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
IPOB reiterated its long-standing demand for the unconditional release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, calling on the Federal Government to act swiftly to restore peace and normalcy in the Southeast.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God,” the statement declared, insisting that the continued detention of Kanu remains at the heart of ongoing tensions in the region.
“Markets Will Open”
Concluding its statement, IPOB insisted that markets across Anambra State will open as directed, declaring that no force would be allowed to prevent traders from carrying out their daily economic activities.
The statement was signed by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, and dated January 26, 2026.