By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) has declared May 30th, 2025 a public holiday and a day of lockdown throughout the South-East region.

It described the public holiday as an annual Memorial and Remembrance Day for Biafra Heroes and Heroines who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the region?s present existence.

This was contained in a statement by IPOB's media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful and made available to News Express on Monday.

The statement partly read, "Anticipation has begun as of May 1, 2025, with broadcasts from Radio Biafra and media awareness efforts by the IPOB media team. This month, IPOB will involve our audioence in memorial lectures honoring Biafran heroes, both at home and abroad, just like in earlier years.

"The peak of the yearly memorial and remembrance event will occur on may 30th, 2025, known as the Biafra Heroes Memorial Day. It is a day designated by IPOB for Biafrans to commemorate and pay tribute to our heroes, heroines, and those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Biafra's liberation and independence.

"The IPOB leadership has announced that May 30, 2025, will be a free day, marking a total lockdown for Biafrans residing in Biafran Land.

"Biafrans residing in Biafra Land should observe a lockdown to pay tribute to those who battled and perished in the Nigeria genocidal war against Biafra while Biafrans fought for our independence. We need to commemorate them by spending one day indoors."

IPOB urged Biafrans and every advocate of freedom in Biafra Land to comply with the one-day lockdown directive on May 30, 2025.

It also urged all IPOB family members in their various countries to organize and obtain permits to demonstrate against the unlawful and illegal detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

According to the group, no protests will take place in Biafra or anywhere in Nigeria to prevent being harmed.

It stated that Biafrans abroad will gather in the streets of their host countries or organize town hall meetings to express their support in honoring the fallen heroes and advocating for the restoration of Biafra.

"IPOB and Ndigbo across the globe will pay tribute to all our fallen heroes and heroines, including our everlasting leader the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Gen Phillip Efiong, Chief Dr Frank Opigo, Commander Ikonso, and numerous others who significantly contributed and fought to avert the genocide and destruction of Biafrans by the Nigerian and British governments along with their allied forces.

"Every year on May 30th is a significant day for all Biafrans. It is a public holiday for every citizen and non-citizen of Biafra living in Biafra territory.

"According to these directives, with the exception of critical and emergency personnel such as ambulance drivers, police officers, nurses, doctors, firefighters, journalists, and NUPENG, are permitted to work that day, while other forms of movement are banned on the streets of Biafra from 6 AM to 6 PM on that day.

"All transportation by road, air, and sea is prohibited from 6 to 6 on May 30, 2025, which includes no human movement within our territory. There will be no school, no community meetings, no religious services, no opening of markets and stores, and no public assemblies of any kind. Simply stay inside and enjoy television and videos with your family while contemplating the memories and the genocide inflicted upon Biafrans from 1967 to the present day.

It is a day for families to recount their experiences of the Biafran genocidal war from 1967 to 1970 and the ongoing victimization, destruction, and marginalization of the Ndigbo within Nigeria.

"IPOB has already contacted WAEC, the West African Examination Council, to inform them of the lockdown directive in Biafran Land on the 30th of May, so they can modify the May/June SSSE exams schedule to serve all students. Messages have also been dispatched to the Governors in the South East and South South Regions to notify them that we will remember and pay tribute to our heroes and heroines who sacrificed everything for us with a lockdown mandate on May 30, 2025.

IPOB implemented the lockdown directive due to the Nigerian violent government attacking and killing numerous Biafrans who assembled to honor our heroes in Biafra Land in previous years. We recommend that everyone refrain from going outside and remain indoors in your homes on May 30th to steer clear of gunfire from the ethnic prejudice of the Nigerian Police and Military, who will be present on the streets of Biafra seeking any chance to unjustly shed the blood of innocent Biafrans.

"If you decide to ignore this lockdown order, whatever occurs to you, please hold no one responsible.

"IPOB prioritizes the well-being of Ndigbo and has discovered methods to prevent the Nigerian State from killing our people as we continue to remember and celebrate our heroes. All transporters must refrain from using the roads on Friday, May 30, 2025.

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