NJIKO IGBO FORUM REJECTS IPOB’S LOCKDOWN
Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF) has distanced itself from the May 30, 2025, lockdown declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to mark Biafra Day. IPOB had called for a total shutdown in the Southeast to honour the memory of Biafran war heroes. However, in a statement by its National President, Rev. Dr. Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, NIF said IPOB lacked the authority to enforce such a lockdown and warned that the term “lockdown” connoted forced imprisonment. Obioha noted that in the past, Igbos had peacefully observed the date with symbolic gestures like wearing black, holding three-minute silences, and attending lectures, without disrupting economic or educational activities. He advised IPOB to rephrase its statements and adopt more inclusive, non-confrontational language. The forum emphasised that the term “Biafra” should not evoke panic, and likened its cultural identity to other regional designations like Arewa and Oduduwa. NIF reiterated its call for unity and cautioned against actions that would deepen insecurity or economic distress in the Southeast.
