WAEC Candidates Stranded As IPOB Declares May 30 Sit-At-Home In SouthEast 

There are strong signals that millions of candidates in the Southeast region may either miss or reschedule their ongoing WAEC examinations as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have declared a total lockdown in the zone on May 30.

The lockdown, which is the first this year according to the IPOB, is in commemoration of Biafra heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their present existence.

Media and Publicity Secretary of the IPOB, Emma Powerful, in a statement on Monday, stated that May 30th, 2025, is now designated a public holiday and a lockdown throughout Biafra Land.

He stated that the public holiday and lockdown are an annual Memorial and Remembrance Day for Biafra heroes and heroines among Biafrans.

He added, “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 audience 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 Biafra Land.”

Powerful stated that Biafrans residing in Biafra Land should observe a lockdown to pay tribute to those who battled and perished in the Nigerian genocidal war against Biafra while Biafrans fought for her independence.

“We need to commemorate them by spending one day indoors. We urge all Biafrans and every advocate of freedom in Biafra Land to comply with this one-day lockdown directive on May 30, 2025. All IPOB family members in their various countries must organize and obtain permits to demonstrate against the unlawful imprisonment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the illegal detention of Nnamdi Kanu in Nigeria. No protests will take place in Biafra or anywhere in Nigeria to prevent being harmed by the lethal Nigerian Security Forces.

“Biafrans abroad will gather in the streets of their host countries or organize town hall meetings to express their support in honoring our 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,” he added.

The statement added that, with the exception of critical and emergency personnel such as ambulance drivers, police officers, nurses, doctors, firefighters, journalists, and NUPENG, 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,” he added.

On WAEC examinations scheduled to hold on that day, Powerful stated that the group had already contacted the Examination Council to inform them of the lockdown directive in Biafran Land “so they can modify the May/June SSCE 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,” he added.