The Nigerian Army has described as illegal a directive issued by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, asking churches in the South-East and parts of the South-South to hold memorial services for victims of the Nigerian civil war.
Headquarters Operation UDO KA, in a statement issued on Friday by the acting deputy director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said the directive was provocative and aimed at disrupting peace in the region.
The military, however, said it empathised with families who lost loved ones during the civil war and acknowledged 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,” the statement read.
It listed the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Nigerian Army Day Celebration and Nigeria’s Independence Day as lawful occasions for remembrance and national reflection.
