The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Sit-At-Home Order and Socio-Economic Activities in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Sit-at-home order has been prevalent in the South-east region of Nigeria since 2021 that not even the responses of the Federal Government of Nigeria could stop the unlawful order which has become a security threat. Imperatively, the study examined the effects of IPOB Sit-at-home order on the socio-economic activities of the South-east, Nigeria between 2020 and 2022. Specifically, the study interrogated the effects of IPOB Sit-at-home order on the socio-economic activities of the South-east, Nigeria in the specific areas of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), transport sub-sector and educational system of the South-east which serve as indicators of socio-economic activities. This study is qualitative and adopted documentary research design while it made use of data gathered through documented evidence/secondary sources which majorly include media publications/reports as Systems theory of David Easton served its theoretical guide. The study established that IPOB Sit-at-home order has severe consequences on all the aforementioned indicators of socio-economic activities in the South-east, Nigeria. Based on this, the study recommended the need for an internal dialogue among the Igbo traditional rulers, the governors in the South-east, Nigeria and the claimed leaders of IPOB across states in the region. More so, there should be introduction of online classes for students every Monday for the meantime while writing of examinations on Sit-at-home enforcement days should be an exception until the Sit-at-home is over. In addition, the Nigerian government should free the acclaimed leader of the group from detention and then dialogue with the group with regards to their claims and demands.