IPOB declares May 30 as Biafra Heroes Remembrance Day, urges sit-at-home observance
Group says day will honour civil war victims, urges peaceful indoor observance and reflection across Biafra communities
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared May 30, 2026, as a day of remembrance for millions who died during the Nigerian civil war, urging supporters to observe a sit-at-home in honour of fallen “heroes and heroines.”
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced May 30, 2026, as a solemn Biafra Heroes Remembrance Day dedicated to commemorating those who lost their lives during the Nigerian civil war.
In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group described the annual observance as a “sacred covenant between the living and the dead,” insisting that the memory of those who died in the conflict must not be forgotten.
IPOB said the occasion is not meant for celebration but for mourning and reflection on what it described as the sacrifices of men, women and children during the Biafran struggle.
The group alleged that efforts had been made over the years to suppress the historical realities of the war, including mass starvation, displacement and civilian deaths, adding that such memories “cannot be erased by propaganda or political convenience.”
According to the statement, the remembrance day also serves as a moment to reflect on justice, accountability and political restructuring in Nigeria.
IPOB further paid tribute to those it described as soldiers, scientists, mothers and children who died during the conflict, saying their sacrifices placed a responsibility on future generations to preserve their memory.
On behalf of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the group called on Biafrans across Nigeria and in the diaspora to observe the day peacefully by staying indoors and engaging in quiet reflection.
It urged communities to keep roads empty and homes silent as a mark of respect, while encouraging families to use the day to remember the dead and preserve Biafran history.
The group concluded by praying for the repose of those who died in the war and reaffirmed its commitment to keeping their memory alive.
