Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
The Nigerian Army has urged churches, community leaders and residents across the South-East and parts of the South-South geopolitical zones not to comply with a directive issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) calling for memorial services in honour of victims of the Nigerian Civil War.
MASSOB had directed churches in the South-East and some neighbouring areas to hold special memorial and thanksgiving services on Sunday, May 31, 2026, to commemorate those who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970.
Responding to the directive on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Nigerian Army, through the Headquarters of 82 Division in Enugu, described MASSOB's order as unlawful and warned churches and residents not to be intimidated into complying with it. In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, the Army said MASSOB had no legal authority to issue directives to religious bodies or the public. The military stated that while citizens have the constitutional right to remember historical events, no group is permitted to compel participation in such activities or use them to advance separatist agendas. The statement urged churches to conduct their religious activities without interference and advised residents to disregard any instructions not backed by lawful authorities. The Army further warned that any attempt to use the planned memorial services to incite unrest, disrupt public order, or threaten national security would be closely monitored and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Army emphasized that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation governed by constitutional laws and that any attempt by non-state actors to issue directives to citizens outside the framework of the law would not be tolerated. It urged religious organizations to continue carrying out their activities in accordance with the law and without external pressure.
Military authorities also reassured residents of the South-East and South-South regions of their commitment to maintaining peace and security, especially as the country approaches various public events and commemorations. The Army called on citizens to remain law-abiding and report any activities that could threaten public safety.
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, began on July 6, 1967, following the declaration of the Republic of Biafra, and ended on January 15, 1970, after nearly three years of conflict. The war remains one of the most significant and sensitive chapters in Nigeria’s history, with estimates suggesting that hundreds of thousands of people died, many from hunger and disease.
MASSOB, founded in 1999, has long advocated for the actualisation of an independent Biafran state through non-violent means. The group has frequently organized remembrance activities for victims of the war and has continued to campaign for greater recognition of the suffering experienced during the conflict.
The Army’s warning comes amid ongoing security concerns in parts of the South-East, where separatist agitation and periodic sit-at-home orders have at times disrupted economic and social activities. Authorities have repeatedly stated that they will continue to enforce the law and prevent actions they believe could threaten national unity or public order.
As discussions surrounding the legacy of the civil war continue, government agencies and security institutions have maintained that commemorative activities must be conducted within the confines of the law and without coercion, while advocates for remembrance continue to call for recognition of those affected by the conflict.
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