The Editor
The Indigenous People of Biafra has declared May 30 as a holiday and a sit-at-home across the South-East region in commemoration of Biafra fallen heroes and heroines who died during the Nigerian civil war.
The pro-Biafran group also banned all forms of movement on the streets across the South-East from 6am to 6pm on that day, adding that all transportation by road, air, and sea is prohibited from 6am to 6pm on May 30, 2025, which includes no human movement within it’s territory.
In a statement released on Monday, the IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said this month, the group will be involved in memorial lectures honoring Biafran heroes, both at home and abroad, just like in earlier years.
Powerful said all IPOB family members in their various countries must organise and obtain permits to demonstrate against the unlawful imprisonment of the pro-Biafran leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his illegal detention.
According to him, there will be no school, no community meetings, no religious services, no opening of markets and stores, and no public assemblies of any kind on that day, adding that it is a day for families to recount their experiences of the Biafran genocidal war from 1967 to 1970.
The statement read, “The family and movement of the IPOB informs Biafrans, supporters of Biafra, and advocates for Biafra freedom that May 30, 2025, is now designated a public holiday and a lockdown throughout the South-East in honor and commemoration of Biafra heroes and heroines who made the ultimate sacrifice for our present existence.
“The public holiday and lockdown is an annual memorial and remembrance day for Biafra heroes and heroines among Biafrans. Anticipation has begun as of May 1, 2025, with broadcasts from Radio Biafra and media awareness efforts by the IPOB media team.
“This month, IPOB will involve its audience in memorial lectures honoring Biafran heroes, both at home and abroad, just like in earlier years. The peak of the yearly memorial and remembrance event will occur on may 30, 2025, known as the Biafra Heroes Memorial Day.
“It is a day designated by IPOB for Biafrans to commemorate and pay tribute to our heroes, heroines, and those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Biafra’s liberation and independence. The IPOB leadership has announced that May 30, 2025, will be a free day, marking a total lockdown for Biafrans residing in Biafran Land.
“Biafrans residing in Biafra Land should observe a lockdown to pay tribute to those who battled and perished in the Nigeria civil war while Biafrans fought for our independence. We need to commemorate them by spending one day indoors. We urge all Biafrans and every advocate of freedom in Biafra Land to comply with this one-day lockdown directive on May 30, 2025.”
The group, however, directed Biafrans abroad to gather in the streets of their host countries or organize town hall meetings to express their support in honoring our fallen heroes and advocating for the restoration of Biafra.
“IPOB and Ndigbo across the globe will pay tribute to all our fallen heroes and heroines, including our everlasting leader the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Gen Phillip Efiong, Chief Dr Frank Opigo, Commander Ikonso, and numerous others who significantly contributed and fought to avert the genocide and destruction of Biafrans by the Nigerian and British governments along with their allied forces.
“According to these directives, with the exception of critical and emergency personnel such as ambulance drivers, police officers, nurses, doctors, firefighters, journalists, and NUPENG, are permitted to work that day, while other forms of movement are banned on the streets of Biafra from 6am to 6pm on that day. All transportation by road, air, and sea is prohibited from 6am to 6pm on May 30, 2025, which includes no human movement within our territory.
“There will be no school, no community meetings, no religious services, no opening of markets and stores, and no public assemblies of any kind. Simply stay inside and enjoy television and videos with your family while contemplating the memories and the genocide inflicted upon Biafrans from 1967 to the present day. It is a day for families to recount their experiences of the Biafran genocidal war from 1967 to 1970 and the ongoing victimization, destruction, and marginalization of the Ndigbo within Nigeria,” the statement added.
Powerful said IPOB has already contacted the West African Examination Council, to inform them of the sit-at-home directive in the South-East on May 30, so they can modify the May/June SSSE exams schedule to serve all students.
According to him, messages have also been dispatched to the governors in the South-East and South South regions to notify them that it will remember and pay tribute to its heroes and heroines who sacrificed everything for us with a lockdown mandate on May 30, 2025.
“We recommend that everyone refrain from going outside and remain indoors in your homes on May 30 to steer clear of gunfire from the police. All transporters must refrain from using the roads on Friday, May 30, 2025,” he added.
