The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Saturday, May 30, 2026, as a total sit-at-home day across the South-East and parts of the South-South regions to mark the annual Biafra Heroes Remembrance Day.
The group emphasized that this is a solemn day of remembrance for millions of people who lost their lives during the Nigerian civil war, describing the occasion as a period of reflection, mourning and honour for fallen Biafran heroes and heroines.
IPOB made the declaration in a statement released on Sunday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.
It explained that the annual Biafra Heroes Remembrance Day remained “a sacred covenant between the living and the dead,” insisting that the memories of those who died during the conflict could not be erased.
IPOB said the day was not for celebration but for sober reflection on the sacrifices made by men, women and children during the Biafran struggle.
The group alleged that attempts had been made over the years to suppress memories of the war and the humanitarian crisis that accompanied it, including starvation, displacement and deaths of civilians.
According to the statement, “the memory of our departed fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children is not negotiable. It cannot be erased by propaganda, political convenience, or historical revisionism.”
The separatist group maintained that despite the devastation recorded during the conflict, “the spirit of Biafra survived,” adding that the remembrance day serves as an opportunity to reflect on issues of justice, accountability and political restructuring in Nigeria.
IPOB also said renewed debates surrounding the causes of the civil war and events leading to it had further reinforced the need for remembrance and historical reflection.
The group paid tribute to soldiers, scientists, mothers, children and civilians who lost their lives during the war, noting that their sacrifices imposed a “sacred duty of remembrance” on future generations.
On behalf of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB called on Biafrans across Nigeria and in the diaspora to observe the day peacefully by staying indoors and engaging in quiet reflection. “Let our towns be quiet. Let our roads be empty. Let our homes become places of reflection,” the statement added.
IPOB further urged families to use the occasion to remember those who died during the conflict and to preserve the history and identity of the Biafran people for generations yet unborn.
The group concluded by praying for the repose of the souls of those who perished during the war and reaffirmed its commitment to keeping their memories alive.
