ENUGU — The Nigerian Army has declared a directive by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) for churches to hold memorial services for civil war victims as illegal and aimed at disrupting peace in the Southeast.
Headquarters Operation UDO KA issued the notice on its Facebook page on Thursday, 29 May 2026, warning clerics, citizens, and youths to disregard the order.
Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations for 82 Division, the statement said MASSOB’s directive was “provocative” and “must be disregarded by all.” It added that any gathering outside lawful national commemorations would not be tolerated.
“Any individual or group that disrupts public peace or religious activities will face the full weight of the law,” the statement read.
While expressing empathy for families who lost loved ones during the civil war, the Army stressed that Nigeria already has legally recognized occasions to honor fallen heroes. These include Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Independence Day.
“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,” Operation UDO KA said.
The Army alleged that sympathizers of MASSOB and IPOB issued the order to create chaos. It reassured churches and the general public to go about their services and businesses without fear of intimidation.
The statement reaffirmed that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain committed to safeguarding lives and property across the Southeast.
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