The Nigerian Army has described as illegal a reported directive by 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 in honour of victims of the Nigerian Civil War.
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, the military, through Operation UDO KA, said it had taken note of the directive and cautioned religious leaders, youths, and residents against complying with it.
The Army said it acknowledges the pain and losses suffered during the civil war, noting that the sacrifices of those who died in the conflict remain part of Nigeria’s shared history and national consciousness.
It stressed, however, that the country already has established and legally recognised platforms for remembrance, including the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Independence Day, which it described as the appropriate occasions for national reflection and honouring fallen heroes.
According to the statement, remembrance must be guided by unity, peace, and adherence to lawful national structures, warning that any activity outside these frameworks risks being misinterpreted and could potentially heighten tensions in the region.
The Army described the reported directive as unauthorised and unacceptable, adding that any gathering or activity outside approved national commemorations would not be tolerated.
It further alleged that security agencies were aware of efforts by sympathisers of separatist movements, including Indigenous People of Biafra, to create unrest in the region, but urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
The statement urged clerics, youths, and the general public to disregard the directive and continue their normal religious and social activities without fear, assuring that adequate security measures are in place to maintain peace and stability.
It added that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding lives and property across the South-East and will respond decisively to any attempt to disrupt public order.
