Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Fifty-nine years after the Asaba Massacre, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for forgiveness and reconciliation, while the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Epiphany Azinge, has renewed the community’s demand for a public apology from a sitting President of Nigeria.
The contrasting positions emerged on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, during the 59th anniversary memorial of the Asaba Massacre held in Asaba, Delta State.
Obasanjo, who participated virtually as chairman of the occasion, described the massacre as one of the most painful episodes of the Nigerian Civil War.
He said he was deeply saddened after receiving documents detailing the killings from the convener of the memorial, Chief Chuks Nduka-Eze, adding that the tragedy occurred in Nigeria during his lifetime.
The former President urged survivors, families of victims and the wider community to embrace forgiveness and reconciliation, while stressing the need to ensure that such events never happen again.
However, the Asagba said forgiveness should not be mistaken for forgetting or abandoning the demand for official acknowledgement.
Azinge said the Asaba community had forgiven, but insisted that there would be no complete closure or healing until a sitting President publicly apologised to the people of Asaba.
He noted that former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, had previously apologised, but argued that the community wanted the Nigerian government under a serving President to formally acknowledge the tragedy.
The monarch also reflected on Obasanjo’s call for a “never again” approach, referring to the Odi killings that occurred during Obasanjo’s presidency.
Despite his demand for a presidential apology, Azinge made a significant gesture of reconciliation by publicly declaring that the Asaba community had forgiven the family of the late Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo, whose role has been associated with the military operation during the massacre.
Major-General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo (retd.), the late officer’s son, had earlier expressed regret and apologised on behalf of his father and family for any actions or omissions that contributed to the tragedy. The Asagba said the community accepted the apology.
The massacre occurred in Asaba during the Nigerian Civil War in October 1967. Estimates of the number killed vary, although Delta State officials and community historians have put the figure at more than 1,000 people.
Speaking at the memorial through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said the killing of unarmed civilians could never be justified.
He said Delta State had recognised the tragedy and expressed hope that the Federal Government would make a formal reconciliation declaration.
The state government also renewed its support for national recognition of the massacre and the establishment of a permanent memorial centre where the names, testimonies and records of victims can be preserved.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, also called for truth, justice, restoration and healing, saying forgiveness should follow those processes.
Asaba is now preparing for the 60th anniversary of the massacre in 2027, with organisers saying the occasion will provide another opportunity to document the history of the tragedy and strengthen efforts towards reconciliation.
The memorial organisers also stressed the need for the events of 1967 to remain part of Nigeria’s historical memory, with Chief Nduka-Eze reiterating the message that Nigerian lives matter.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments