The Ebonyi State Police have declared the planned four-day sit-at-home by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East Zone as illegal.
TrackNews reports that the police have warned the public against participating in the event.
Recall that the pro-Biafran group announced the sit-at-home from the 8th to the 11th of this month.
However, in a statement released on Monday, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, revealed that the police were prepared to take action against anyone found participating in the event.
He urged the public to continue their lawful activities without fear of threat or intimidation, assuring them of the police’s readiness to ensure their safety.
He said: “The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Faleye Olaleye is aware of the statement in circulation by a group that called itself, Indigenous People of Biafra, asking people to observe a Sit-at-home from 8th-11th of May 2023 for reason best known to them.
“The order is unconstitutional, unlawful, and cannot stand.
“He therefore enjoins the good people of Ebonyi State to discountenance the order/threat and go about their lawful business without fear of threat or intimidation as the Ebonyi Police Command is prepared, more than before to provide them with maximum protection for their safety.
“The Commissioner of Police urges members of the public to oblige the force with information about threats to their safety and assures members of the Public that the Command shall continue to be resilient in its determination to ensure criminal elements are denied the space to carry out their Unlawful activities in the State”.
The IPOB, a separatist group advocating for the independence of Biafra from Nigeria, has faced several confrontations with the Nigerian government in recent times, resulting in the group being banned and labelled as a terrorist organisation.
