Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has issued one of his strongest warnings yet on Nigeria’s unity, declaring that many of the conditions that led to the 1967 Civil War remain unresolved and urging Nigerians to confront history honestly in order to prevent another national tragedy.

Speaking while receiving a comprehensive collection of books, eyewitness testimonies, documentary films, archival materials and research on the Asaba Massacre of October 1967, presented by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, Chairman of the Asaba Memorial Trust and the Asaba Image Branding and Project Committee, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Obasanjo stressed that preserving history is essential to preserving peace.

“Some of the things that led to the civil war are still with us. We have fought one civil war too many already. God forbid there should ever be another. We must do everything humanly possible to prevent its recurrence and be able to say, ‘Never Again.’”

The former President explained that one of the guiding principles of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library is “to preserve the past, capture the present and inspire the future,” noting that studying painful chapters such as the Asaba Massacre is indispensable for national healing and reconciliation.

Although he acknowledged serving as a military commander during the Civil War, Obasanjo reiterated that military operations in Asaba were under the command of the late General Murtala Mohammed, adding that he has consistently refrained from giving detailed accounts of the massacre itself. He nevertheless emphasised that understanding what happened is necessary if Nigeria is to avoid repeating history.

Obasanjo also recalled personally stopping a soldier from assaulting a civilian woman during the war, saying commanders had a responsibility to prevent abuses and could not ignore misconduct by troops under their authority.

He further observed that former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon had publicly expressed regret over wartime excesses, while stressing that Nigerians must continue working towards reconciliation through truth, remembrance and education.

The documentation presented by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze forms part of a formal memorandum calling on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to officially recognise the Asaba Massacre of October 1967 as a significant historical tragedy deserving national acknowledgement.

According to the memorandum, the submission is supported by:

* Extensive eyewitness testimonies
* Recorded interviews
* Archival records
* Audio-visual documentation
* Established historical scholarship

Together, these independent sources present a consistent account of events following the entry of Federal troops into Asaba in October 1967.

The memorandum states that civilians were assembled and instructed to proclaim allegiance to Nigeria by declaring “One Nigeria.” Men were then reportedly separated from women and children before large numbers of unarmed civilians were killed. While precise casualty figures remain debated, the convergence of available evidence points to the deaths of more than one thousand men, leaving a lasting scar on the Asaba community.

Rather than seeking legal adjudication, the memorandum argues for formal national acknowledgement, preservation of historical records, support for memorial initiatives, and appropriate remedial consideration for affected families, describing such recognition as essential for national memory, institutional integrity and reconciliation.

“Never Again”

Reflecting on the significance of the presentation, respected elder statesman Chief Simon Okeke, Ochendo Amichi and Ex Chairman Nigeria Police Service Commission – described the Asaba Massacre as:

“A very ugly chapter in the history of this country that nobody who witnessed it would ever want to see repeated. It is most unfortunate that such a terrible massacre was allowed to happen under whatever circumstances. It is a tragic part of our history, and we must ensure that it never happens again in this country.”

His remarks echoed Obasanjo’s own appeal that Nigeria must learn from its past rather than ignore it.

Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze said the work is intended not to reopen old wounds but to strengthen Nigeria through historical truth, remembrance and reconciliation.

The presentation forms part of an ongoing campaign seeking formal national recognition of the Asaba Massacre, preservation of documentary evidence and wider public education so that future generations understand one of the most painful chapters in Nigeria’s history.

Significantly, the message of “Never Again” has now become the central theme of this year’s Asaba Massacre Memorial Anniversary, scheduled for 4 October in Asaba. In a remarkable demonstration of his commitment to national healing and historical remembrance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has personally agreed to chair the memorial event, specifically clearing his diary to be present for the commemoration.

His acceptance underscores the growing national importance of the Asaba Memorial initiative and reinforces his call that Nigeria must confront its history with honesty, preserve the memories of those who were lost, and ensure that the conditions which led to the Civil War are never allowed to return.

As Obasanjo declared, Nigeria has fought “one civil war too many,” and the nation’s collective responsibility is to learn from its past so that “Never Again” remains not merely a slogan, but a lasting commitment to peace, justice and national unity.

As Obasanjo concluded, preserving history is not about assigning blame but ensuring that Nigerians remember the past, learn from it and collectively resolve that “Never Again” should another civil war occur.