Southeast sit-at-home: Micro businesses lose N4.6trn yearly

The enforcement of sit-at-home protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) may have led to serious socio-economic and security distortion in Southeast with micro-businesses allegedly losing N4.6 trillion yearly, according to an SBM Intelligence report.

The report noted that while the region was hit with an estimated cumulative loss of over N7.6 trillion over four years, SMEs, markets, and supply chains remained disruptively weakened.

The report argued that the transport sector reportedly suffered daily losses of up to N13 billion at the height of the protests, while transporters forfeited N10 billion to N13 billion daily during protests.

The SBM Intelligence survey used data from the SBM Violence Tracker, surveys, and interviews to look at the protests’ outcomes in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states from September to October 2024.

The report averred that income drops of 50 to 70 per cent were noticed, exemplified by a seamstress’s earnings falling from N100,000 to N27,000.
The sit-at-home protests, according to the report, caused a 50 to 70 per income drop for most, though POS agents gained customers. Transport costs likely rose due to limited hours as low-skilled workers saw salary cuts, and students faced academic disruption.

The report found that decline in earnings affected savings as artisans and students were worst hit, while 90 per cent opposed the protests due to economic harm.

The report stated that the Southeastern commercial hubs such as Onitsha and Ariaria saw near-total shutdowns on Mondays, paralysing local trade and disrupting supply chains nationwide.

According to SBM, the education sector was also badly affected, with students missing crucial classes and national examinations, including WAEC and NECO, further jeopardising long-term human capital development.

“Education is disrupted, with students missing exams and schools relocating classes to Saturdays. Job losses, salary cuts, and collapsed savings schemes deepen poverty,” the report stated.

SMB Violence Tracker reported that Southeast faced a deepening security crisis with a sharp five-year rise in violence, noting that while no state is spared, Imo and Anambra are worst hit during IPOB/ESN activity and state responses.

Giving a breakdown on security, the report noted that within 2021-2025, there were 776 fatalities and 332 violent incidents between 2021 and 2025.
Further findings showed that Imo State recorded 130 incidents with 332 deaths and Anambra had 94 incidents, 202 deaths as epicentres.

According to the report, violence surged in 2024 with 133 incidents and 313 deaths, a threefold increase from 2023. The report stated that the IPOB’s armed wing, the ESN, and criminal gangs exploit the chaos, targeting civilians and security forces.

“More than 700 people have reportedly been killed in IPOB-related violence between 2021 and 2025. Imo State has seen the highest number of incidents and fatalities, while Ebonyi has recorded the lowest.

“Founded in December 2020, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) was set up by IPOB in response to what it described as the Nigerian government’s failure to safeguard the lives and property of Igbo people.”