Kanu Orders End to Monday Sit-at-Home in South-East

Nnamdi Kanu has directed the immediate and permanent cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East, bringing an end to a protest that has shaped daily life in the region for more than four years. The order took effect on Monday, February 9, 2026.

The instruction, announced by the Indigenous People of Biafra through its spokesman Emma Powerful, was said to have come directly from Kanu. According to the group, the decision reflects his concern for the safety, education and economic wellbeing of residents across the region.

The sit-at-home policy was introduced in August 2021 following Kanu’s arrest and detention, leading to the weekly shutdown of schools, markets, banks and public offices. Over time, the action attracted widespread criticism due to its economic impact and the violence that often accompanied enforcement.

IPOB warned that any attempt to impose a sit-at-home going forward would be against Kanu’s explicit directive, distancing the group from acts aimed at disrupting normal activities or intimidating residents.

With the order lifted, Kanu’s supporters say the move signals a shift toward restoring normalcy in the South-East, as communities resume work, schooling and commercial activities after years of disruption.