ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that many of the conditions that led to Nigeria’s 1967–1970 civil war still persist, stressing that the country must never experience another such conflict and must do everything possible to prevent a recurrence.
Obasanjo made the remarks on Wednesday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while receiving a historical documentation on the Asaba Massacre from the Isama Ajie of Asaba, Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze. The publication, titled Asaba Massacre, comprises a book and an audiovisual documentary based on eyewitness accounts, recorded interviews, archival materials, and historical research documenting the events that occurred during the Nigerian Civil War.
‘Some of the Things That Led to the Civil War Are Still On’
Speaking at the presentation, Obasanjo, who served as a military commander during the war, said he had deliberately refrained from commenting extensively on the Asaba Massacre because the area was under the command of the late General Murtala Muhammed. He commended Nduka-Eze for documenting the events, describing the work as an important contribution to preserving Nigeria’s history and ensuring that similar tragedies do not recur.
“We pride ourselves that we preserve the past, we capture the present and we inspire the future. We capture the past, and this is the past; we want to capture it, we want to know about it,” Obasanjo said.
“I must confess, and you know that I was involved in the civil war. When people talk about the Asaba Massacre, I always confess that I cannot give details of it,” he added.
Expressing concern over the country’s present circumstances, the former president said several of the issues that contributed to the civil war remain unresolved. “Some of the things that led to the civil war are still on. Now, how long will this be with us?” he asked.
‘We Have Fought One Civil War Too Many Already’
Obasanjo recalled a remark by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, that Nigeria would not survive another civil war, saying he shared the same view.
“I was with a colleague when General Yakubu Gowon said, ‘We will not survive a second civil war as a country.’ I believe we have fought one civil war too many already,” Obasanjo said.
“So, to say that we will have a second civil war, God forbid. Getting ourselves to know some of what happened, and to say, yes, we condemn what happened that should not have happened, and then make sure that we do everything humanly possible to prevent its recurrence,” he added.
He also recalled preventing a soldier from raping a woman in Asaba during the conflict, noting that such misconduct would have carried consequences under the principle of command responsibility.
Documenting the Asaba Massacre
Earlier, Nduka-Eze said the publication was the result of extensive research supported by eyewitness testimonies, recorded interviews, archival materials, audiovisual documentation, and established historical scholarship.
According to him, the evidence indicated that after federal troops entered Asaba, then a civilian population centre in the Mid-West Region during the civil war, residents were gathered in public places and instructed to demonstrate their loyalty to Nigeria by declaring “One Nigeria.” He said the research showed that men were subsequently separated from women and children before unarmed male civilians were killed despite complying with the instructions.
“The evidence establishes a recurring pattern. Civilians were assembled in public places under conditions of fear and uncertainty. During these assemblies, residents were required to proclaim allegiance to the Nigerian State, including being instructed to declare ‘One Nigeria’ and otherwise demonstrate loyalty,” Nduka-Eze said.
While the exact number of casualties could not be conclusively determined, available evidence pointed to the deaths of more than 1,000 civilians, describing the incident as a devastating tragedy for the Asaba community.
Unresolved Grievances and a Call for National Reflection
Nduka-Eze also echoed Obasanjo’s concerns, warning that many of the conditions that led to the civil war—including ethnic mistrust and suspicion among Nigeria’s diverse groups—remain unresolved.
The warnings come as Nigeria continues to grapple with ethnic and religious tensions, economic inequality, governance challenges, and persistent calls for self-determination from various groups across the country. The civil war, which claimed over a million lives, remains one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s history, and successive leaders have repeatedly warned against any recurrence.
Obasanjo’s remarks underscore the urgency of addressing longstanding grievances and fostering national unity. “For us to be able to say, ‘Never again,’ what are we going to do? Thank you very much for making people know about it, for people to learn about it, and for people to take a vow that it should never happen again. I say to you, never. I will do everything possible to ensure it never happens again,” he said.
