The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) 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.
The group said the services are intended to honour and remember the millions of people who lost their lives during the Nigerian 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.
This was disclosed by the National Director of Information for MASSOB, Edeson Samuel, in a press statement made available to The Telegraph on Monday.
According to the statement, the faction of the movement led by Comrade Uchenna Madu described this year’s commemoration as a significant milestone in its ongoing self-determination campaign.
As part of the anniversary activities, the group had earlier declared a mandatory sit-at-home order across the region for Saturday, May 30, 2026, which it described as a day for sober reflection, remembrance, and civil disobedience.
Samuel stated that all markets, schools, banks, motor parks, and other public and private business premises are expected to remain closed between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on that day.
He added that the shutdown is intended as a mark of honour and respect for those who died during the three-year civil war.
The group also cautioned its members against engaging in any form of public gathering that could lead to confrontation with security agencies.
It stressed that there would be no street protests, marches, processions, or other public demonstrations anywhere in the region on May 30.
MASSOB further said the anniversary would be used to express solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and renewed its call for his unconditional release from state custody.
While acknowledging the likelihood of heightened security presence across major cities ahead of the anniversary, the group urged residents to remain calm and resolute.
“MASSOB is aware that there will be a heavy deployment of the Nigerian Army, Mobile Police, DSS operatives, and Civil Defence personnel in major cities. No amount of security intimidation, killings, detention, or oppression will stop the will of an indigenous people seeking self-determination,” the statement concluded.
