Why this year’s Biafra anniversary is very significant to current struggle – MASSOB

The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has insisted that this year’s anniversary celebration of Biafra declaration is very significant to the current self-determination struggle for the Biafra actualization and restoration championed by the group.

In a statement issued on Monday by National Director of Information, Edeson Samuel, the group also called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025 on terrorism-related charges.

Recall that the group, led by Uchenna Madu, had announced a sit-at-home across the South-East in commemoration of the 59th anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in 1967. 

MASSOB also directed all churches in ‘Biafraland’ to engage in a memorial and thanksgiving service on 31st May 2026, to remember and pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the Biafran War.

DAILY POST reports that the annual commemoration and anniversary celebration of the Biafra declaration is regarded by pro-Biafra activists as a time for sober reflection, remembrance and unity.

The group 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.

“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-year war of genocide against Biafra by the British-backed Nigeria,” the statement added.

“MASSOB is also using the Biafra declaration anniversary to show solidarity to our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is wrongly imprisoned for the sake of Biafra.

“We demand his immediate release and call for justice for all Biafrans who have been unjustly detained or persecuted.

“Our struggle for Biafra is unstoppable, and we will continue to fight until our homeland is restored.”

“Sunday, 31st will be the national thanksgiving for the people of Biafra.

“MASSOB  knows that there will be heavy presence of the Nigeria Army, the Mobile police, DSS operatives and Civil Defence in major cities of Biafraland during our annual Biafra Day Anniversary Celebration.”