The Nigeria Police Force has warned of a possible resumption of the Monday sit-at-home order in the South-East, particularly Imo State, following an alleged plan by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The warning was contained in an intelligence report dated 9 October 2026 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, according to a copy of the document obtained by this publication.
Titled “Threat By IPOB/ESN To Resume Attack In The South-East And Imo State In Particular,” the report raised concerns about a possible return of the sit-at-home order from Monday, 12 October 2026.
The document stated that the police intelligence department had intercepted a voice note in which an unidentified individual warned residents of the South-East, particularly Imo State, to avoid business activities on the specified date.
According to the report, the individual appealed to residents to stay away from commercial activities and other engagements on Monday.
The document further alleged that the group had concluded plans to revive the sit-at-home order to demand the release of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
It stated: “Subject stated that the dissident IPOB/ESN group has concluded plans to resume the illegal Monday sit-at-home as a protest move to ensure the release of their leader, the incarcerated Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
The report was addressed to the Inspector-General of Police at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
However, the claims in the document had not been independently verified at the time of filing this report.
In a statement issued on Monday, 12 October, IPOB denied plans to resume enforcement of the sit-at-home order and described the purported intelligence report as fabricated.
The group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, challenged the police to provide evidence supporting the allegations, including the original audio recording and details linking the alleged message to IPOB or ESN.
The police had not publicly responded to the group’s denial in the reports reviewed for this story.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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