Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on survivors and families of victims of the 1967 Asaba Massacre to embrace forgiveness and reconciliation as the community marked the 59th anniversary of the tragic incident.
Obasanjo, who joined the memorial event virtually as chairman of the occasion on Wednesday in Asaba, described the massacre as one of the most painful, terrible and regrettable chapters of the Nigerian Civil War.
The former president said the civil war was an unfortunate event that should never have happened. He revealed that he wept after receiving historical documents on the Asaba killings from Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze.
“To all of you assembled: let us keep one thing in mind, forgiveness, forgiveness, and forgiveness again,” Obasanjo pleaded with the gathering.
He urged the people of Asaba to forgive the perpetrators and work towards genuine national reconciliation to ensure such atrocities never repeat themselves.
But in a swift response, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, said while the people have chosen to forgive, they will never forget the massacre.
The highly respected monarch insisted that there can be no true closure or healing until a sitting President of Nigeria officially and publicly apologises to the people of Asaba.
“We may not forget, but certainly, we have to forgive,” Azinge stated. He noted that former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), had apologised for the civil war tragedy, but that apology came while he was out of office.
“We need a sitting president to apologise to the people of Asaba; that will bring closure,” the Asagba stressed.
The traditional ruler also questioned Obasanjo’s repeated “never again” mantra, pointing out that similar mass killings occurred in Odi, Bayelsa State, during Obasanjo’s own tenure as civilian president.
“Coming from him, I was a bit taken aback. How long do we say ‘never again’? But it happened at Odi,” Azinge said.
Despite his demand for justice, the Asagba made a major reconciliatory gesture at the event. On behalf of the Asaba community, he publicly declared forgiveness for the family of Col. Ibrahim Taiwo, the officer widely linked to the operation that led to the massacre.
“On behalf of the Asaba community, and as the prescribed authority, the Asagba of Asaba, I hereby publicly proclaim that we have forgiven the Taiwo family,” he announced.
He said the community had accepted the apology and expression of regret offered by retired Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, son of Col. Taiwo, for any act, omission or commission by his father that contributed to the killings.
The Asagba added that while the people have moved on, remembrance and justice remain vital as the community prepares for the 60th anniversary of the massacre next year.
“From the going down of the sun till the morning, we will always remember them,” he said in honour of the victims.
SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/07/asaba-massacre-obasanjo-urges-forgiveness-reconciliation/
