In a bid to avoid any conflict with Sunday worshippers, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) announced on Tuesday that it has shifted the sit-at-home protest earlier scheduled for Sunday, May 30 in commemoration of Biafra Day, to Monday, May 31.
The group in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful however, explained that while there will be partial observation of the Biafra Day on Sunday, there will be total lockdown on Monday throughout the entire Biafra land.
Powerful in the statement asked all residents to comply with the order and remain indoors from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in honour of all those who have paid the supreme price in the course of the struggle for Biafra autonomy.
According to the statement, “We, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great and indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to announce that this year’s Biafra Remembrance Day sit-at-home will now hold on Monday, May 31, and not Sunday, May 30 as earlier directed. The modification is following genuine observations about our earlier directive as many of our people observe Sundays as a day of worship.
“There will be partial observation of the Biafra Day on May 30th. But there will be a total lockdown and sit-at-home on Monday 31st of May. We, therefore, expect Biafrans all over the world to stay indoors on May 31 in respect and honour of our fallen heroes and heroines who paid the supreme price for us to live. It is our right to remember them for defending the genocidal attacks on our people between 1967 and 1970.
“Consequently, all commercial activities must be shut down on 31st of May throughout the land of Biafra. There should be no vehicular movement on that day on Biafra roads. Transport companies must withdraw from the road on that day. National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and others are expected to fully comply with this directive.
“In the same vein, artisans and traders must close shops on that day. Airports, Seaports, Banks and financial institutions should all shut down in honour of our fallen heroes and heroines.
“Okada and Tricycles organizations are also advised to withdraw from roads on that day. There shall be no social gatherings or events including burials, weddings on that day from 6 am to 6 pm.
“Parents are advised not to send their children to school on that day as no one is expected to be seen outside. Full compliance is expected from all. Biafrans in Diaspora are to hold peaceful rallies in their countries of abode”.
