The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), led by Uchenna Madu, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and other pro-Biafra agitators currently held in various detention facilities across Nigeria.

This appeal was made in a statement issued on Tuesday by MASSOB's National Director of Information, Edeson Samuel, ahead of the 2025 Biafra Anniversary celebration scheduled for May 30.

In the statement, MASSOB described the upcoming May 30th as "a national day of introspection and self-examination for the people of Biafra" marking 58 years since what they termed as "forceful and deceitful actions" of General Gowon's reintegration, reconciliation, and rehabilitation policies.

The group had earlier announced that all markets, schools, and public and private motor parks in the South-East region would be shut down on May 30, 2025, as part of the commemoration activities.

Allegations of Marginalization

Beyond calling for Kanu's release, MASSOB raised several allegations of marginalization against the South-East region. The group claimed that the region has been excluded from the Nigeria Student Loan scheme and accused the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of "consciously and systematically frustrating the high average examination score of South-Eastern region students."

Further grievances highlighted by MASSOB include the absence of functioning seaports in the South-East zone and the alleged exclusion of South-Easterners from senior positions in key federal agencies such as the Nigeria National Petroleum Company, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and Nigeria Customs Service.

The group also pointed to the closure of the Enugu International Airport and the suspension of railway transportation services in the South-East as further evidence of what they perceive as deliberate marginalization of the region.

The federal government has yet to respond to these allegations or the call for Nnamdi Kanu's release as the Biafra Day anniversary approaches.