The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has described the statement by 82 Division of Nigeria Army, Enugu declaring illegal the directive by MASSOB to churches in Biafra land to observe memorial services and prayers for the victims of three million Biafrans massacred during the 1967-70 genocide as irresponsible and provocative.
The push back by MASSOB is coming after military authorities in Nigeria in a terse statement urged residents of the Southeast to disregard the directive by the separatist movement.
The Nigeria army in a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalakan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division, described the directive by MASSOB as illegal.
It said the order is designed to sow division and cause panic in the region.
While noting that the memories of those who paid the ultimate price during Biafra-Nigeria civil war remain indelible in the national consciousness, Olalekan said it is important to stress that there are already established national occasions legally recognised by the Federal Government to honour the nation’s fallen heroes.
“The attention of Headquarters Operation UDO KA has been drawn to an illegal directive issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), directing churches in the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold memorial services in honour of civil war victims.
“Headquarters Operation UDO KA empathises deeply with families who lost loved ones during the civil war and acknowledge 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.
“These include the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, and Nigeria’s Independence Day. These solemn occasions provide lawful platforms for reflection, unity, and remembrance.
“Operation UDO KA remembers with compassion the sacrifices of the fallen heroes which can never be forgotten. However, 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 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 Nigerian Army is aware that sympathisers of MASSOB, IPOB resolved to issue this illegal order to create chaos. 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 Southeast.
“Operation UDO KA wishes to reassure the general public, including churches, that they should go about their services and businesses without fear of intimidation. Any individual or group that disrupts public peace or religion activities will face the full weight of the law.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies remain committed to safeguarding lives, property, and ensuring peace across the South-East”, the statement reads.
But MASSOB in a rebuttal wondered when memorial prayers became an offence or irresponsible.
In a statement personally issued by it’s leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu which a copy was made available to Diaspora Digital Media, MASSOB urged churches in Biafra land to disregard the statements of Nigeria Army.
MASSOB urged Nigeria army to channel their antagonism to Islamic terrorist bandits ravaging northern and western Nigeria and leave Biafrans alone.
The group however, said: “When has National memorial prayers became an offence or irresponsible? Nigeria army should cover their faces in shame because they have not declared the terrorist activities of Islamic bandits as provocative or illegitimate.
“MASSOB advise churches in Biafra land to disregard the statements of Nigeria Army,
Don’t allow yourself to be defeated by devil. Let Nigeria army channel their antagonism to Islamic terrorist bandits ravaging northern and western Nigeria.
“Is it because MASSOB is a non violence movement?, is it because we have never carried arms against Nigeria state?. Is it because we choose to conform our activities to international standard of self determination activism?.
“The foundation of MASSOB is rooted on the principles of non violence. We have never killed or repay the Nigeria security agencies for the extra judicial killings of our non violence members because we believe in non violence self determination struggle.
“MASSOB warned Nigeria Army that your provocative tendencies against MASSOB will never push us to violence or arms struggle.
We know that you’re jittery and uncomfortable with the reality of Biafra actualization and restoration.
“Tomorrow is 59th anniversary celebration of Biafra declaration by Gen Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Biafrans are enjoined to commemorate the exercise with sit at home observance.
“On Sunday, 31st May, all churches in Biafra land will observe special prayers for Biafra and victims of the genocide committed against our people.”
