Army Declares MASSOB Memorial Directive Illegal, Warns Churches Against Participation
By Passman Akpos
The Nigerian Army, through Headquarters Operation UDO KA, has declared illegal a directive issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), asking 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 signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, the military described the planned memorials as “provocative” and accused pro-Biafra groups of attempting to create tension and destabilise the region.
According to the statement released on Friday day, the Army acknowledged the pain and sacrifices of families who lost loved ones during the civil war but insisted that there are already recognised national events approved by the Federal Government to honour fallen heroes, including Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Independence Day commemorations.
“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 read.
Operation UDO KA further alleged that sympathisers of MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were behind the directive and warned clerics, youths, and residents to stay away from activities linked to the planned memorials.
The Army stressed that any gathering or event outside officially recognised national commemorations “will not be tolerated,” adding that security agencies are prepared to enforce law and order across the South-East.
The warning comes amid preparations by MASSOB to mark the 59th anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by the late General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30, 1967.
The group had directed churches in the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold special thanksgiving and memorial services on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in honour of millions who reportedly died during the Nigerian-Biafran war.
MASSOB also announced a sit-at-home exercise for Saturday, May 30, describing it as a day of sober reflection and remembrance. However, the group cautioned members against public protests, processions, marches, or demonstrations that could lead to confrontations with security agencies.
The organisation said the anniversary activities were also intended to show solidarity with the detained leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, while demanding his unconditional release.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the Army’s warning on social media, with some Nigerians accusing security agencies of focusing more attention on unarmed civilians in the South-East instead of tackling rising insecurity and kidnappings in other parts of the country.
Some commenters questioned why memorial church services should be considered a threat, while others defended the military’s position, insisting that any action capable of escalating tensions in the region must be monitored carefully.
The development has once again exposed the deep divisions surrounding Biafra remembrance activities and the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, a matter that remains highly sensitive across the South-East.
