Fifty-nine years after the Asaba Massacre claimed the lives of an estimated 1,000 people during the Nigerian Civil War, the community has taken a significant step towards reconciliation, with a public apology from the family of a military officer associated with the killings and a declaration of forgiveness from its traditional ruler.
However, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge, has insisted that genuine healing cannot be complete until a sitting Nigerian president publicly apologises for the 1967 tragedy.
The developments came on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, during the 59th anniversary commemoration of the massacre in Asaba, Delta State, where survivors, families of victims and other stakeholders gathered to remember one of the darkest episodes of the civil war.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who participated virtually as chairman of the occasion, urged the community to embrace forgiveness and reconciliation, describing the massacre as one of the most painful events of the war.
Mr Obasanjo said he was moved to tears after receiving documents detailing the killings from the convener of the Asaba Massacre Memorial, Chief Chuks Nduka-Eze.
He urged Nigerians to learn from the tragedy and ensure that such violence never happens again.
“To all of you assembled: let us keep one thing in mind — forgiveness, forgiveness, and forgiveness again,” he said.
Monarch demands presidential apology
Despite the appeal for forgiveness, Prof Azinge maintained that reconciliation must not come at the expense of accountability.
The traditional ruler said the community could forgive those associated with the tragedy without forgetting the suffering endured by its people.
He argued that a formal apology from a serving president would represent an important acknowledgement of the killings and help the community achieve closure.
“We may not forget, but certainly, we have to forgive,” he said.
Prof Azinge noted that former military Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, had apologised after leaving office but maintained that the community still needed a public apology from a sitting president.
He also questioned Mr Obasanjo’s appeal for a commitment to ensuring such atrocities never happen again, citing the killing of civilians in Odi, Bayelsa State, during Mr Obasanjo’s presidency.
Nevertheless, the Asagba made a significant gesture towards reconciliation by publicly announcing that the Asaba community had forgiven the family of Col Ibrahim Taiwo, whose role in the military operation has been associated with the massacre.
Military officer’s son apologises
The anniversary also witnessed an emotional apology from retired Major-General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo, the son of the late Col Taiwo.
The retired general expressed regret on behalf of his father and family over any acts or omissions that contributed to the tragedy.
He acknowledged that an apology could not reverse the loss of lives or erase the suffering experienced by the victims’ families but expressed hope that it would help rebuild relationships.
He said he hoped the gesture would mark the beginning of a meaningful process of reconciliation.
In response, Prof Azinge publicly accepted the apology on behalf of the community and declared forgiveness for the Taiwo family.
The exchange represented a significant moment at the commemoration, although the community’s wider demand for official acknowledgement and accountability remains unresolved.
A massacre that continues to haunt Nigeria
The Asaba Massacre occurred on 7 October 1967, during the Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970.
The killings followed the entry of federal troops into Asaba amid the conflict. Men and boys were among those killed, leaving families devastated and the community grappling with the consequences for generations.
Researchers and community historians estimate that more than 1,000 people died, although the precise number remains uncertain.
For many families, the tragedy represents not only the loss of loved ones but also decades of unanswered questions, painful memories and a continuing struggle for national recognition.
Speaking on behalf of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Secretary to the State Government Kingsley Emu condemned the killing of unarmed civilians and reaffirmed the state’s support for efforts to secure national recognition of the massacre.
He said the state government would continue to support the establishment of a fitting memorial to preserve the history of the victims and ensure that future generations understand what happened.
Looking towards the 60th anniversary
With the 60th anniversary approaching in October 2027, organisers say there is renewed urgency to preserve survivors’ testimonies, document the victims’ experiences and establish a permanent memorial centre.
Chief Nduka-Eze said the commemoration was intended to remind Nigerians and the wider world that the lives of Nigerian citizens matter, regardless of their ethnic background or political circumstances.
The proposed memorial centre is expected to provide a permanent space for remembrance, historical documentation and education.
The anniversary also renewed calls for truth, justice and reconciliation, with stakeholders emphasising that forgiveness should not prevent the country from confronting its history.
For Asaba, the 59th anniversary has therefore been both a day of mourning and a moment of reflection on the difficult path towards healing.
The community’s willingness to forgive the Taiwo family signals a desire to move forward, but its insistence on a presidential apology highlights the difference between personal reconciliation and official acknowledgement.
As preparations begin for the 60th anniversary, the question remains whether Nigeria will take further steps to formally recognise the tragedy and address the community’s longstanding demands.
For the families who lost loved ones in October 1967, forgiveness may offer a path towards peace, but remembrance remains essential to ensuring that the victims are not forgotten.
