Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra

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The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (abbreviated MASSOB , Movement for the Realization of a Sovereign State of Biafra ) is an underground organization in Nigeria that fights for the independence of Biafra .

Many young Igbos (the Ibos make up 13.3% of the population of Nigeria) have come together in the MASSOB. MASSOB reached a wider public in Nigeria through the tough crackdown on the organization, which was banned as “separatist”. Many members have had to go into hiding and work from illegality. The older Ibo leaders, including Chukwuemeka Odumegwu who led the Biafran War , distance themselves from the MASSOB. She is also active as a militia in the state of Imo and is supported by Governor Udenwa.

The leaders of MASSOB have "renounced" Nigeria and proclaimed an independent Igbo state, Biafra. Supporters of this independence movement hoist the former state flag; some members of MASSOB wear the uniform of the Biafran police at the time and engage in shootings with the federal police.

In May 2000, 54 supporters of the movement were arrested in Aba , Abia state, and charged with treason and an illegal gathering. They are said to have planned the overthrow of the government by proclaiming an independent state. In August 2000, a state court denied treason charges on the grounds that it was a violation of federal law and that the court had no jurisdiction. In relation to charges of attending an unlawful gathering, the court granted the defendants bail out.

According to the Guardian (March 11, 2001), an attack on the MASSOB headquarters , in which the federal army is said to have been involved, resulted in 10 dead and 50 injured. As a result, the MASSOB attacked a police station and some of the detainees were freed.

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