Army Warns Against MASSOB-Ordered Civil War Memorials, Says Directive Illegal
The Headquarters of Operation UDO KA has declared as illegal a directive reportedly issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), instructing churches across 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 issued on Thursday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the military described the directive as provocative and capable of disrupting the prevailing peace in the region.
Operation UDO KA said while it deeply empathises with families who lost loved ones during the civil war and recognises the sacrifices made to preserve Nigeria’s unity, there are already legally recognised national events dedicated to honouring fallen heroes.
According to the statement, such occasions include the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Nigeria’s Independence Day, which provide lawful platforms for reflection, remembrance, and national unity.
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“The memories of those who paid the ultimate price remain indelible in our national consciousness. 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 statement noted.
The military further alleged that sympathisers of MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were behind the directive as part of efforts to create tension and destabilise the South-East.
It therefore warned clerics, youths, and members of the public to stay away from any planned activities linked to the directive, stressing that any gathering or event outside the framework of lawful national commemorations would not be tolerated.
“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 statement added.
Operation UDO KA also reassured residents, churches, and business owners across the region of adequate security, urging them to go about their normal activities without fear of intimidation.
The military warned that any person or group found disrupting public peace or religious activities would face the full weight of the law.
It reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, to safeguarding lives and property and maintaining peace and stability across the South-East.