[BREAKING]: IPOB Exposes ‘Failed Propaganda’ Over Onitsha Sit-At-Home, Says Compliance Was Absolute

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Anambra State Government and allied interests of pushing lies and propaganda to downplay what it described as a total lockdown observed across Onitsha and the wider South-East.

In a press statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB said the sit-at-home declared in solidarity with Onitsha Main Market traders recorded complete compliance, contrary to claims circulated by government sources and some media platforms.

‘Reality vs Manufactured Narrative’

According to IPOB, markets were shut, streets deserted and economic activities grounded across Biafraland in the early hours of the day. The group stated that even Aguata Local Government Area, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s home LGA, was under lockdown.

IPOB further claimed that Government House, Awka, remained shut, while schools, banks and government parastatals did not operate.

Despite this, the group alleged that a staged media appearance was hastily arranged, involving what it described as rented security operatives and a few APGA party officials posing beneath locked shops to project a false image of business activity.

“This was not journalism; it was deception,” IPOB said.

‘Contradictions Betrayed the Lie’

The group stated that once the scale of compliance became obvious, a coordinated propaganda response emerged, with some media outlets allegedly reversing earlier reports of deserted markets.

IPOB questioned the logic of the state government’s narrative, pointing to Governor Soludo’s alleged threat to demolish 10,000 shops.

“If markets were truly open, why the threat of demolition? They could not keep their story straight,” the statement said.

‘Intimidation Will Not Stand’

IPOB warned that threatening traders in Onitsha sends a dangerous signal that Igbo businesses can be destroyed without consequence, recalling similar past incidents in other parts of Nigeria.

The group emphasized that its position is not about enforcing sit-at-home orders, noting that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu ended compulsory sit-at-home years ago.

“What is at stake today is dignity, solidarity and the collective refusal to submit to intimidation,” IPOB stated.

‘Unity Defeated Propaganda’

IPOB concluded that the events of the day showed that intimidation has lost its power, insisting that unity among the people defeated what it described as a heavily funded propaganda campaign.

“Truth will always defeat lies, and a united people cannot be silenced,” the group declared.

The Anambra State Government is yet to issue an official response to the claims at the time of this report.