MASSOB/IPOB Directive For Civil War Remembrance Service Is Illegal – Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has declared illegal the directive issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), ordering churches in the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold memorial services in honour of civil war victims.

Naija News reports that the Army, in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director,  Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, clarified that there are already established national occasions legally recognised by the federal government to honour fallen heroes.

The Nigerian Army noted that MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) only want to use the event to create chaos.

The Army warned that any individual or group that attempts to disrupt the peace of society will face due sanctions.

It added that the Army empathises deeply with families who lost loved ones during the civil war and acknowledges the sacrifices made to keep Nigeria united, but the directive issued by MASSOB is illegal, provocative, and must be disregarded by all Nigerians.

The Army also urged members of the public to go about their lawful activities, stating that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding lives, property, and ensuring peace across the South-East.

“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.

“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. 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. These solemn occasions provide lawful platforms for reflection, unity, and remembrance.

“Operation UDO KA remembers with compassion the sacrifices of the fallen heroes which can never be forgotten. However, 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.

“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 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 Southeast.

“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.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding lives, property, and ensuring peace across the South-East,” the statement read.