Army warns against MASSOB’s civil war memorial directive

The Nigerian Army has declared illegal a directive from the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) asking churches in the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold memorial services for victims of the Nigerian civil war. The army's Headquarters Operation UDO KA issued a statement Friday, calling the directive provocative and an attempt to disrupt regional peace.

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The memories of those who paid the ultimate price remain indelible in our national consciousness. However, it is important to emphasise that there are already established national occasions legally recognised by the Federal Government to honour our fallen heroes.

While expressing empathy for families who lost loved ones during the civil war and acknowledging the sacrifices made to preserve Nigeria's unity, the army emphasized that established national occasions are the legally recognized avenues for honoring fallen heroes. These include the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Nigeria’s Independence Day.

Operation UDO KA stated that true honor for fallen heroes should be demonstrated through unity, peace, and lawful remembrance, not through illegal directives from irredentists aiming to sow division and panic. The military warned that any gathering or activity outside the framework of lawful national commemorations is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

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The directive by MASSOB is therefore illegal, provocative, and must be disregarded by all. Any gathering or activity outside the framework of lawful national commemorations is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The military further alleged that MASSOB and Indigenous People of Biafra sympathizers intended to use the directive to create chaos. It strongly advised clerics, citizens, and youths to avoid such destabilizing plans. Operation UDO KA reassured residents and churches to conduct their lawful activities without fear, warning that anyone disrupting public peace would face legal consequences. The Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding lives and property in the South-East.

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Clerics, innocent citizens and youths are therefore strongly advised to stay away from such plans, which are designed to destabilise the peace enjoyed in the entire South-East.