Army Declares MASSOB’s Civil War Memorial Directive Illegal, Warns Churches

The Nigerian Army, through Headquarters Operation UDO KA, yesterday declared as illegal the directive issued 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 for victims of the Nigerian civil war.

The Army described the directive as “provocative” and alleged that it was designed to create panic and destabilise the peace currently being enjoyed in the region.

In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the military warned churches, clerics, youths and residents against participating in any gathering or activity linked to the directive.

The statement read: “The attention of Headquarters Operation UDO KA has been drawn to an illegal directive issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, directing churches in the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold memorial services in honour of civil war victims.”

While expressing sympathy for families who lost loved ones during the civil war, the Army said there were already recognised national platforms for honouring fallen heroes.

According to the statement, “Headquarters Operation UDO KA empathises deeply with families who lost loved ones during the civil war and acknowledge the sacrifices made to keep Nigeria united. The memories of those who paid the ultimate price remain indelible in our national consciousness.”

It added: “However, it is important to emphasise that there are already established national occasions legally recognised by the Federal Government to honour our fallen heroes. These include the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Nigeria’s Independence Day.”

The Army maintained that remembrance activities must be carried out within lawful national frameworks, stressing that “true honour lies in unity, peace, and lawful remembrance, not in illegal directives by some irredentists aimed at sowing division and causing panic in the region.”

Describing the directive as unacceptable, the military said, “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 Army further alleged that sympathisers of MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, were behind the move.

“The Nigerian Army is aware that sympathisers of MASSOB, IPOB resolved to issue this illegal order to create chaos. 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,” the statement added.

Operation UDO KA also reassured residents and religious organisations of their safety, urging them to go about their lawful activities without fear.

“Operation UDO KA wishes to reassure the general public, including churches, that they should go about their services and businesses without fear of intimidation. Any individual or group that disrupts public peace or religious activities will face the full weight of the law,” it asserted.

The military further reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the South-East in collaboration with other security agencies across the country.