Due to fact that the civil war conflict resulted in the destruction of the eastern region and the death of millions of Biafrans either through military engagements, acts of ethnic cleansing, or starvation, the nationalist movement for the creation of a Biafran state did not reemerge in full-force until 1999. Igbo politcal elite such as Chief Ralph Uwazuruike formed MASSOB to revitalize Igbo nationalist sentiments based on conceptions of continued injustices against Igbo people. The contemporary reanimation of Igbo nationalism also references the killing of Igbo people by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria as a reason for the reinstitution of the social movement.