Army warns churches to ignore the MASSOB Memorial Directive, saying planned civil war remembrance activities are unlawful and provocative

The Nigerian Army has directed churches, residents and community leaders across the South-East and parts of the South-South to disregard a planned memorial service proposed by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), describing the initiative as illegal and potentially disruptive to public peace.

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The warning followed a directive issued by MASSOB calling on churches to hold special memorial and thanksgiving services on May 31 in honour of victims of the Nigerian Civil War.

The planned observance forms part of activities marking the declaration of Biafra by Chukwuemeka Ojukwu during the civil war era.

In a statement issued on Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, said the military acknowledged the pain and sacrifices of families affected by the conflict but insisted that remembrance activities must take place within officially recognised national commemorations.

According to Olabisi Ayeni, lawful platforms for honouring fallen heroes include Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration and Nigeria’s Independence Day.

“These solemn occasions provide lawful platforms for reflection, unity, and remembrance,” the statement said.

The army stated that while the sacrifices of those who died during the war remain significant, remembrance should promote national unity rather than division.

“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 statement added.

The military described the MASSOB Memorial Directive as provocative and urged residents to ignore it.

Ayeni further alleged that sympathisers of MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra had circulated the directive as part of efforts to create tension and unrest in the region.

The statement warned clerics, youths and residents against participating in any activities linked to the planned observance, arguing that such gatherings could undermine the relative stability recorded in parts of the South-East.

“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,” Ayeni said.

The army reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining security across the region, noting that the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies remain vigilant in protecting lives, property and public order.

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The development highlights continuing tensions surrounding separatist movements and security operations in the South-East, where authorities have repeatedly emphasised the need to preserve peace while addressing historical grievances through lawful channels.