According to a report by Punch Newspaper on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday cautioned that many of the conditions that led to Nigeria’s civil war in 1967 remain evident today, emphasizing the need for deliberate efforts to ensure that the country does not experience another conflict that could result in widespread destruction and heavy cåsualties.
Obasanjo made the statement while receiving a collection of books, research documents, video recordings, and eyewitness interviews on the Asaba Massacre and related historical events.
The materials were presented by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, Chairman of the Asaba Memorial Trust and the Asaba Image Branding and Project Committee, during a visit to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
Speaking during the presentation, the former President reflected on Nigeria’s civil war and acknowledged his direct involvement in the conflict.
He noted that despite his participation in the war, he has consistently admitted that he is unable to provide a detailed account of the Asaba Massacre, a tragic episode that remains one of the painful memories associated with the conflict.
Obasanjo stressed that the lessons of the civil war should never be forgotten, warning that the circumstances that contributed to the outbreak of hostilities decades ago should not be allowed to develop again.
He maintained that safeguarding national unity and preventing a repeat of such a devastating experience must remain a priority for all Nigerians.
The presentation of the historical materials formed part of ongoing efforts to preserve records of the Asaba Massacre through documented research, eyewitness testimonies, interviews, and visual archives.
He said, “I must confess, and you know that I was involved in the civil war. When people talk about the Asaba Måssåcre, I always confess that I cannot give details of it.”
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