The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied authorizing anyone to issue a lock down/sit at home order for the people of the South East on Monday 2nd of February 2026.
Mazi Chukwukadibia Edoziem, Head of Directorate of State of IPОВ said this in reaction to a purported order by the group that there should be a total shut down of the five states of the South East on Monday.
A faction of IPOB in a statement signed by Emma Powerful had on Friday declared the total lockdown of the South East in reaction to the closure of Onitsha main market by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
However Edoziem in a statement issued on Saturday not only disassociated IPOB from the planned shutdown of the South East.
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He also announced the retirement of the name “Emma Powerful” through which the secessionist group usually issued its statements.
Edoziem added that the move is part of efforts to ensure that IPOB operates in consonance with institutional best practices that is globally recognised and accepted.
He revealed in the State that the name “Emma Powerful” is an operational pseudonym used by the IPOB publicity secretary for the dissemination of IPOB’s press releases.
Edoziem noted that while any press statements issued under the pseudonym places an enormous responsibility IPOB and its leadership, the name Emma Powerful has been abused, misused and compromised.
He therefore declared that the continued use of the pseudonym will be a danger to IPOB as a movement and for the Biafran people’s Self-Determination struggle.
Edoziem also noted that there have been subtle moves by certain groups and individuals using the pseudonym Emma powerful as a vehicle to disrupt the pervading peace and security in the South East of Nigeria.
He therefore said the Directorate of State of the Indigenous people of Biafra (the DOS) has resolved that henceforth all press statements representing the position of the IPOB MUST be released on IPOB’s official letter headed paper.
Edoziem also declared that following its abuse, misuse and compromise, of the pseudonym Emma powerful, IPOB will stop to use it henceforth in releasing its press statements.
“For the avoidance of doubt and for the sake of clarity, any press statement released henceforth with the pseudonym Emma Powerful neither emanates from IPOB leadership nor represents the position of the IPOB Directorate of State (the DOS), Edoziem concluded.
