Nigerian Army tells churches to ignore MASSOB directive

The Nigerian Army has issued a warning against a directive from the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) for churches to hold memorial services for victims of the Nigerian civil war. The military described the directive as illegal and provocative, urging residents and religious institutions in the southeast and parts of the south-south to disregard it.

In a statement released on Friday by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, the acting deputy director of Army Public Relations for the 82 Division, the army said it empathizes with families who lost loved ones during the conflict. The statement acknowledged the sacrifices made to keep Nigeria united and said the memories of those who died remain indelible in the national consciousness. However, officials stressed that there are already established, legally recognized national occasions for honoring fallen heroes.

These occasions include Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Nigeria's Independence Day. The army stated that these solemn occasions provide lawful platforms for reflection, unity, and remembrance. The statement argued that true honor lies in unity, peace, and...