The Nigerian Army has described as illegal and provocative a directive allegedly 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 for victims of the Nigerian Civil War.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, OPERATION UDO KA, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, said while the military empathises with families who lost loved ones during the war, there are already established national platforms for honouring fallen heroes and victims of conflict.
According to the statement, occasions such as Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration and Independence Day provide lawful avenues for reflection, remembrance and national unity.
Operation UDO KA noted that the sacrifices made during the civil war remain an important part of Nigeria’s history and should be remembered with compassion. However, it stressed that remembrance must be conducted within the framework of the law and in a manner that promotes peace and national cohesion.
The military alleged that the directive was aimed at creating tension and disrupting the prevailing peace in the South-East. It further claimed that sympathisers of MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were behind the move to stir unrest in the region.
“The directive is illegal, provocative and should be disregarded by all law-abiding citizens,” the statement said, warning that any gathering or activity outside recognised national commemorations would not be tolerated.
Operation UDO KA urged clerics, youths and residents of the region to avoid participating in activities linked to the directive, describing such plans as attempts to destabilise the peace currently being enjoyed across the South-East.
The military reassured churches and members of the public that they should continue their lawful activities without fear, pledging that security agencies would remain vigilant in protecting lives and property.
It also warned that individuals or groups found disrupting public peace or religious activities would face the full weight of the law.
The Nigerian Armed Forces, working in collaboration with other security agencies, reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining security and sustaining peace across the South-East.
