Separatists’ sit-at-home protests caused 700 deaths in Nigeria’s southeast, report finds
3 min read
Report links over 700 deaths to IPOB-led protests in Nigeria’s southeast as violence and economic losses mount.
Armed enforcement of separatist protests has led to widespread violence and billions in economic losses, according to a new report.
More than 700 people have been killed in Nigeria’s southeastern region since 2021 as a result of sit-at-home protests enforced by separatist militants, a report by SBM Intelligence, a Nigerian research consultancy, has found.
The protests, led by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) — a banned separatist group — were originally launched to demand the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism charges in Abuja. The group has long advocated for the secession of the southeast, a region predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, and the revival of the short-lived Republic of Biafra, which fought a bloody civil war with Nigeria between 1967 and 1970, claiming over 1 million lives.
Initially conceived as a peaceful form of resistance, the weekly Monday sit-at-home orders, and other protest days aligning with Kanu’s court appearances, have over time become flashpoints for violence. The report highlights that armed groups, frequently described in local media as “unknown gunmen,” have carried out violent enforcement of the stay-at-home orders. Victims have included civilians who defied the directives, as well as individuals caught in clashes between IPOB factions and Nigerian security forces.
“Violent enforcement by armed actors… has fuelled a growing atmosphere of insecurity, targeting those who attempt to resume normal activities on designated days,” the SBM report, released on Monday, stated.
According to the data, compliance with the protest directive has dropped dramatically, from 82.6% in 2021 to 29% in 2024. The fall is attributed less to declining support and more to growing public frustration and fear of reprisals.
Economic losses have also been severe. Between 2021 and 2023, the southeast reportedly lost over 7.6 trillion naira (approximately $4.79 billion) due to repeated business shutdowns and movement restrictions on protest days. Banks, markets, transport services, schools, and government institutions are among the sectors most affected.
Despite the devastating toll, IPOB has consistently denied responsibility for the violence, accusing the Nigerian government of blackmail and demonization. The group has sought to distance itself from armed factions and attacks that occur during protest periods.
Nonetheless, the Nigerian police and security agencies maintain that IPOB is behind many of the region’s violent incidents. Just this month, authorities linked the group to the murder of at least 30 travelers in the southeast — a charge IPOB has rejected.
The Nigerian government officially classifies IPOB as a terrorist organization, a designation that has sparked controversy and condemnation from rights groups and some members of the international community, who argue that IPOB’s initial demands were political, not violent.
Nnamdi Kanu, the group’s outspoken leader, was first arrested in 2015 but fled the country while on bail. He was re-arrested in 2021, reportedly in Kenya under controversial circumstances, and flown back to Nigeria. His trial is ongoing, with his next court appearance scheduled for May 28.
Meanwhile, IPOB has called for nationwide observance of “Biafra Heroes Day” on May 30, commemorating the 58th anniversary of the Republic of Biafra’s declaration of independence in 1967. The group often uses the occasion to honor those who died in the civil war and reaffirm its commitment to independence.
Analysts warn that continued unrest in Nigeria’s southeast could worsen the region’s economic stagnation and deepen divisions between the federal government and the Igbo community.
The SBM report concludes with a call for non-violent conflict resolution, enhanced community engagement, and transparent governance, arguing that decades of marginalization and mistrust have fueled the resurgence of separatist sentiment.
About The Author
