MASSOB gives August as deadline for Igbo mass return

Ndigbo

The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has declared August as the deadline for the mass return of Igbo living in the North to beat the Arewa youths’ quit notice.

The group stated that it recognised August because of its significance in Igbo calendar, marking the period for new yam festival and women’s August meeting.

It also charged women to persuade their loved ones, including their husbands and children, to take advantage of the period to come back home.

It added that the Biafra Intelligence Agency had been deployed to states in the North to monitor the situation, insisting that MASSOB under the leadership of Uchenna Madu, would continue undeterred in non-violence pursuant of Biafra actualisation and restoration.

The group, however, appealed to all the Eze Ndigbo in the 19 northern states to commence the compilation of names, residential addresses and villages/towns of all Igbo living in their respective northern cities, adding that such data collation of the people should end on September 10, 2017.

In a statement issued by its National Information Officer, Samuel Edesonu, in Awka yesterday, the group said the decision was reached at its national executive meeting presided over by MASSOB leader, Madu.

The statement said: “The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) after our national executive meeting that was presided by our leader, Uchenna Madu, resolved as follows:

“That in continuation of our earlier stand and position on the quit notice order to the people of Biafra by Arewa people which will elapse on October 1, MASSOB insists and beckons on Biafrans living in Arewa land to intensify efforts in relocating their families back home.

“That MASSOB has resolved that the month of August being a significant month of special festivals of Iri ji (New yam) and women August meeting in Igboland, it has declared this the month of August 2017 a special month of mass return of all Igbo living in the North.

“That MASSOB also mandated all married Igbo women living in the North to start intimating their husbands about the dangers of staying in Arewa land, which no longer guarantees their safety. They should also intensify their pressure on their husbands concerning the mass return in this next month.

“That after the September 10 deadline for this compilation, MASSOB will embark on investigation of all the Eze Ndigbo in northern cities to ascertain their level of participation in this ancestral order. We appeal to them not to betray this act of nobility because of their individuals’ interest or favour from Hausa Fulani.”

Meanwhile, a businessman, who lives in Awka, Mr. Johnson, says he believes that Ndigbo should go home to continue their life. He said that it is not only in the North that people can survive as citizens from the eastern states will always adjust to any condition.

Also, a public servant, Mr. Onunaka Njorikwu, urged the Igbo to take the notice as a challenge and come back home.