MASSOB Declares May 30 Sit At Home Across South East
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has directed all churches across the South East and parts of the South South to hold special memorial and thanksgiving services on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in honour of millions who perished during the Nigerian Civil War.
The directive forms part of activities lined up to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the declaration of the defunct Republic of Biafra by the late Gen. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30, 1967, an event that triggered a 30 month conflict between July 1967 and January 1970 in which an estimated one to three million people, mostly civilians, lost their lives to combat, starvation, and disease.
The pro Biafra group’s National Director of Information, Edeson Samuel, disclosed the directive in an official press release issued on Monday. The statement, attributed to the MASSOB faction led by Uchenna Madu, described this year’s anniversary as a “significant milestone” in what the group calls its ongoing self determination struggle.
As part of the commemoration, the secessionist group has declared a mandatory sit at home order across the region for Saturday, May 30, 2026, framing it as a day of sober reflection, remembrance, and civil disobedience.
“MASSOB has earlier declared that all markets, public and private motor parks, schools, banks, and other public business premises shall remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm on 30th May, 2026,” Samuel stated.
“The closure of these public places and services is a mark of honour, respect, and patriotism to our fatherland. It is a mark of appreciation and acknowledgement of the numerous sacrifices and prices our fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters rendered for Biafra during the three years of war.”
The group, however, cautioned members against any form of public gathering that could trigger confrontations with security agencies, stressing that there will be no physical demonstrations, street marches, processions, or any other public functions anywhere in the region on May 30.
MASSOB further stated that the anniversary would be used to show solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, whose continued detention by the Department of State Services has remained a flashpoint in regional politics. The group renewed its demand for his “immediate and unconditional release” from state custody.
Founded in 1999 by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, MASSOB has historically pursued its agenda through non violent means, distinguishing itself from IPOB, which was proscribed and designated a terrorist organisation by the Federal Government in September 2017. Annual sit at home orders, particularly those linked to May 30 commemorations, have in recent years significantly disrupted economic activity across the five South East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
Anticipating a heavy security footprint, the group urged residents to remain resolute.
“MASSOB knows that there will be a heavy presence of the armed Nigerian Army, Mobile Police, DSS operatives, and Civil Defence in major cities,” the statement read. “No amount of security intimidation, killings, detention, or oppression will ever stop the willpower of an indigenous people for self determination.”
Security agencies across the South East are yet to issue any official response to the latest directive as at the time of filing this report.