The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied plans to resume enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home order in the south-east.
In a statement issued on Monday, Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesperson, said the group’s struggle is focused on achieving Biafran self-determination through peaceful means.
Powerful accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) of working with politicians and former members of the IPOB’s disbanded directorate of state (DOS) to spread what he described as false claims about the planned resumption of the sit-at-home order.
He said the claims were contained in a purported police intelligence report dated October 9, which alleged that IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) planned to resume enforcement of the order on October 12.
“The IPOB, under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, rejects the allegations contained in the purported police intelligence report dated October 9, 2026, which claims that IPOB/ESN intends to resume Monday sit-at-home enforcement from 12 October 2026,” the statement reads.
“The Nigerian Police Force, acting in concert with unscrupulous politicians and residual elements of the sacked and long-expelled members of the compromised third administration of the Directorate of State, has once again recycled its tired and transparent propaganda script.
“The so-called ‘Intelligence Report’ dated October 9, 2026, bearing reference CB:4089/FID/INTLAB/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.14/231 and signed under the name of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, is a fabrication pure and simple.
“There is no voice note. There is no order from IPOB or ESN to resume any sit-at-home. There is no plan by this movement to enforce anything on the people of the South-East or Imo State.
“IPOB has repeatedly stated, and we restate today with absolute clarity: we have no business with enforcement. Our struggle is political, lawful, and directed solely at the realisation of Biafran self-determination through peaceful means.”
Powerful also alleged that the withdrawal of security personnel from parts of the south-east was intended to create an opportunity for renewed violence in the region.
He said the group had earlier warned that the withdrawal could trigger fresh unrest, adding that the alleged police intelligence report reinforced its concerns.
Powerful urged the federal government and those he accused of working with the police to stop spreading “false information” and instead address hunger, unemployment and insecurity.
He also called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the group’s leader, describing his continued incarceration as illegal.
He challenged the police to provide evidence to support their claims, including the original recording of the alleged message, its source and the basis for linking it to IPOB or the ESN.