The streets are empty and shops and banks are closed in several cities - including Nnewi, Onitsha, Aba and Umuhia - after the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) group urged people to stay at home today.

The police and the military are, however, patrolling the streets.

Ipob's roots can be traced to the independence declaration of Biafra in 1967 that led to the Nigerian civil war in which more than one million people were killed.The Igbo often complain of marginalisation and many of them have supported secession.

Nigerian authorities have labelled Ipob a terrorist organisation.

Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is facing treason-related charges.

He has not been seen in public since September when his house was raided by the Nigerian military. The military denies arresting him.