An Igbo group, Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), on Wednesday distanced itself from the May 30, 2025, lockdown declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast region in remembrance of heroes and heroines of the Biafra struggle.

IPOB, in a statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, last week, declared May 30, “Biafra day” and work work-free day to enable members to celebrate those who died while fighting for the restoration of the Biafra Republic.

It declared that markets, schools, banks, and several other activities should remain closed as a mark of honour to the dead heroes and heroines of Biafra.

Reacting to the development, the Njiko Igbo Forum, in a statement by its National President, Rev Dr Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, stated that IPOB is not a government that should declare such a lockdown or holiday in the Southeast.

“While we give it to IPOB as a harmless and armless support group of the SouthEast called Biafra, we want to distance ourselves from the words and style chosen to honor and remember these, our cherished heroes and heroines,” Obioha said.

“The word ‘lockdown’ sounds strong, confrontational, and declared imprisonment on the people of the Southeast (Igbo) known as Biafra on that hallowed day of the 30th May, 2025. IPOB is not the government to declare such a holiday or lockdown.

“Before the birth of IPOB, 30th May every year in the past, had solemnly been observed as a significant/remarkable date, and with very remarkable events in different ways voluntarily.
“Biafrans had observed this date by wearing black, putting black ribbons on their left chest breasts and black wrist bands.

“The most notable observation that people made was the three-minute silence that had always been observed by any Igbo in Nigeria by 12 noon on that day, no matter what you are doing and wherever you are. It looked solemn and awesome and peaceful.

“Another major event that was held that day was lectures of a kind in various cities in Nigeria.

“Activities and particularly economic ones are not barred or disrupted. You go to work, market, schools, and any activity of human endeavour, and be conscious of the date but observe three minutes’ silence. Three because Igbos will exchange three backhands as in hailing before shaking.”

It argued that declaring a “lockdown from 6am to 6pm and paralysing economic activities for the 30th May, 2025 is not feasible, as governments of the day will not allow that, and the children and living families of the Heroes and Heroines you are seeking to honor and remember, will be tensed up, deprived freedom of movement and live in hunger.”

Njiko Igbo Forum, therefore, advised IPOB to “withdraw their press release, reword it, and remove warlike statements and make it friendly and real.

“We strongly advise Nigerians and particularly the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not to be in panic or apprehensive any time they hear the word ‘Biafra’ identified with the Igbo. The civil war is over, and we are all in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We must, however, remind all and sundry that what Arewa is to the Hausa/Fulani of the North, Oduduwa to the Yoruba of the West, is what Biafra is to the Igbo. The word and people of Biafra in Nigeria cannot be wished away or denied.”