A statement issued in Awka, Anambra state, MASSOB spokesman, Samuel Edesonu, said the decision was made at the national executive meeting of the group presided over by its leader, Uchenna Madu, according to TheCable.

MASSOB urged the Igbo to start returning en masse in August because of its significance in Igbo calendar.

While calling on Igbo women to persuade their husbands and children to heed the new date, the group also appealed to Igbo leaders in the 19 northern states to start compiling names and details of all Igbo living in the region.

“The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) after our national executive meeting that was presided by our leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu resolved as follows,” the statement read.

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“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 Oct 1st, MASSOB insists and beckons on Biafrans living in Arewa land to intensify efforts in relocating their families back home.

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

“That MASSOB also mandated all married Igbo women living in northern Nigeria to start intimating their husbands about the dangers of staying in Arewa land which no longer guaranteed their safeties. They should also intensify their pressure on their husbands concerning the Mass return in this next month.

“That after the September 10th deadline for this compilation, MASSOB will embark on investigation of all the Eze Ndigbo in northern cities to ascertain their levels of participation in this ancestral order.

“That MASSOB urge the Eze Ndigbo in northern cities to carry out this compilation of our kinsmen data as a native and ancestry exercise. We appeal to them not to betray this acts of nobility because of their individual’s interest or favour from Hausa Fulani.

“That MASSOB under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu will continue undeterred in nonviolence pursuant of Biafra actualization and restoration.”