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The Nigerian Army has described as illegal a directive issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, asking churches in the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold memorial services for victims of the Nigerian civil war.
Headquarters Operation UDO KA, in a statement issued on Friday by the acting deputy director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said the directive was provocative and aimed at disrupting peace in the region.
The military, however, said it empathised with families who lost loved ones during the civil war and acknowledged the sacrifices made to keep Nigeria united.
“The memories of those who paid the ultimate price remain indelible in our national consciousness. However, it is important to emphasise that there are already established national occasions legally recognised by the Federal Government to honour our fallen heroes,” the statement read.
It listed the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration and Nigeria’s Independence Day as lawful occasions for remembrance and national reflection.
Operation UDO KA said true honour for fallen heroes should be expressed through unity, peace and lawful remembrance, “not in illegal directives by some irredentists aimed at sowing division and causing panic in the region.”
“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.
The military further alleged that sympathisers of MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra had resolved to use the directive to create chaos in the region.
“Clerics, innocent citizens and youths are therefore strongly advised to stay away from such plans, which are designed to destabilise the peace enjoyed in the entire South-East,” it stated.
Operation UDO KA reassured residents and churches in the region to go about their lawful activities without fear of intimidation, warning that anyone found disrupting public peace or religious activities would face the full weight of the law.
The statement added that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, remained committed to safeguarding lives and property and ensuring peace across the South-East.
PUNCH Online reported on May 26 that MASSOB leadership directed all churches across the South-East and parts of the South-South to conduct special memorial and thanksgiving services for those killed in the Nigerian-Biafran civil war on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
The directive forms part of the line-up of activities marking the 59th anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by the late Gen Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30, 1967.
As part of the commemoration, the secessionist group had earlier declared a mandatory sit-at-home order on Saturday, May 30, 2026, across the region.
It, however, cautioned its members against any form of public gatherings that could lead to confrontations with security agencies.
