MASSOB Orders Special Church Services to Mark 59th Biafra Anniversary

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has directed 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 those who lost their lives during the Nigerian-Biafran civil war.

The directive is part of activities marking the 59th anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by the late General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30, 1967.

The National Director of Information for MASSOB, Edeson Samuel, announced this in an official press release on Monday. According to the statement, the faction led by Uchenna Madu described the anniversary as a significant milestone in the ongoing self-determination struggle.

The group had earlier declared a mandatory sit-at-home order on Saturday, May 30, 2026, across the region, describing it as a day of sober reflection, remembrance, and civil disobedience.

Samuel stated that all markets, public and private motor parks, schools, banks, and other business premises must remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm on May 30 as a mark of honour and respect for the sacrifices made during the three-year war.

The pro-Biafra group, however, cautioned its members against any form of public gatherings that could lead to confrontations with security agencies. The statement emphasised that there would be no physical demonstrations, street marches, or processions anywhere in the region on May 30.

The group also stated that it was using the 59th anniversary to show solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, while demanding his immediate and unconditional release.

Acknowledging the likelihood of massive security deployments across major cities ahead of the anniversary, MASSOB 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. No amount of security intimidation, killings, detention, or oppression will ever stop the willpower of an indigenous people for self-determination,” the statement concluded.