Separatists’ sit-at-home protests results in 700 deaths in Nigeria’s southeast

A sit-at-home order by the banned separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria’s southeast has led to over 700 deaths in the past four years, Reuters revealed citing a new report by SBM Intelligence. The fatalities resulted from attacks on civilians defying the weekly Monday shutdown and clashes between IPOB and Nigerian security forces.

IPOB, seeking secession for the predominantly Igbo southeast, has been designated a terrorist organization by Nigerian authorities. The group launched the sit-at-home protest in August 2021 to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who faces terrorism charges.

While IPOB suspended the protests shortly after, factions and allied armed groups have continued enforcing the orders, causing violence including attacks on government facilities and civilians. The police have linked IPOB to several violent incidents, though the group denies responsibility.

Beyond loss of life, the protests have caused economic damages exceeding 7.6 trillion naira ($4.79 billion) by halting activities every Monday and on Kanu’s court dates. The region’s history includes a civil war in the late 1960s that killed over one million people.