Asaba Massacre: Obasanjo urges forgiveness, reconciliation

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the survivors and families of the 1967 Asaba Massacre victims to forgive and seek reconciliation. Speaking at the 59th anniversary of the massacre, Obasanjo described the event as one of the most painful and regrettable aspects of Nigeria's civil war. He emphasized the importance of forgiveness, urging all present to keep it in mind and work towards better relations.

Asaba's paramount ruler, Professor Epiphany Azinge, expressed his community's willingness to forgive but stressed that they would not forget the tragedy. For closure and healing, Azinge stated that a sitting president must publicly apologize to the people of Asaba. He also pointed out that former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, apologized while out of office, prompting the Asagba to question Obasanjo's "never again" appeal, as the Odi killings took place during his tenure.

The Asagba urged Nigerians to remember the victims, stating that they would always remember them "from the going down of the sun till the morning." Despite the demand for a presidential apology, the Asagba publicly forgave the family of Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo, accepting the apology offered by retired Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, the son of the deceased officer.