[JUST IN]: IPOB Slams ‘Lies and Propaganda’ Over Onitsha Lockdown, Insists Sit-At-Home Was Total

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned what it described as a coordinated campaign of lies, propaganda and deliberate deception surrounding the sit-at-home observed in Onitsha and across the South-East in solidarity with traders.

In a press statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB said the early hours of the sit-at-home recorded total and overwhelming compliance, contrary to claims circulating in some sections of the media.

‘Markets Shut, Streets Empty’

According to the group, Onitsha Main Market and other markets across the South-East were completely shut, with streets deserted and commercial activities grounded.

IPOB further stated that the compliance extended to Aguata Local Government Area, the hometown of Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, noting that Government House in Awka was shut, while schools, banks and government parastatals did not open for business.

The group alleged that despite this reality, a false narrative was deliberately manufactured.

IPOB claimed that “a few rented security men and some APGA party chairmen” were assembled to pose for international media cameras under locked shops in an otherwise deserted market, describing the move as “blatant deception rather than reporting.”

‘Contradictions Exposed’

The statement said the scale of compliance forced what it called a well-funded propaganda machinery into action, accusing some media platforms of reversing earlier reports that showed deserted markets.

IPOB questioned the consistency of the government’s position, asking why Governor Soludo allegedly threatened to demolish 10,000 shops if, as claimed by officials, markets were open.

“On one hand, they denied what everyone could see. On the other, they threatened punishment for failure to open shops. Their contradiction exposed the lie,” the group said.

Warning Against Intimidation

IPOB warned that threats against Onitsha traders could set a dangerous precedent, arguing that allowing intimidation would encourage further attacks on Igbo businesses, similar to past incidents in other parts of the country.

The group stressed that its position was not about enforcing sit-at-home orders, noting that its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had ended enforced sit-at-home years ago.

“What is being defended today is dignity, solidarity and the right of our people to resist intimidation,” the statement said.

‘Unity Defeated Propaganda’

Concluding the statement, IPOB declared that intimidation has lost its power, insisting that unity among the people defeated what it described as state-backed propaganda.