The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), has renewed calls for a formal apology from President Bola Tinubu over the 1967 Asaba massacre, emphasizing that the community remains scarred by the unacknowledged killings of hundreds during the Nigerian Civil War.
Speaking during the 58th anniversary commemoration on October 7, Azinge led thousands in a solemn ceremony at the Oshimili Arcade on Nnebisi Road, where participants observed a minute of silence at noon to honor the victims.
He described the event as a tribute to "true martyrs whose blood watered the land," urging the federal government to establish a national monument and deliver the long-overdue acknowledgment.
"We must have a fitting memorial for them. We deserve an apology from the Nigerian government, and we need a Federal University established here in Asaba in their memory," Azinge stated, highlighting Asaba's status as the only state capital without such an institution as a persistent oversight.
The massacre, carried out by Nigerian Army troops between October 5 and 7, 1967, claimed over 700 lives, mostly unarmed men and boys, amid the Biafran War's early escalations.
This plea echoes Azinge's earlier appeal during a March 2025 visit to President Tinubu in Abuja, where he led a delegation to express solidarity while pressing for recognition of the tragedy.
"Among other requests, we mentioned to him the massacre of Asaba people in 1967 and that our people need some apology if need be in that regard," he recounted post-meeting, blending gratitude for ongoing projects like the Niger Bridge access road with demands for justice.
The annual event, now integrated into Asaba's cultural calendar, featured interdenominational prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes, underscoring the community's resolve to preserve the memory despite past government inaction.
Chief Okey Nduka-Eze, a community leader, affirmed the commemoration's permanence, noting no compensation could erase the trauma but an official apology would aid healing.
Asaba's advocates, including historians and civil society groups, argue the massacre often downplayed in national narratives, represents a "heinous crime against humanity" warranting reparations.
No response from the presidency has been issued since the anniversary, though Azinge expressed optimism about Tinubu's commitment to equitable development.
The Asagba's palace confirmed the remarks but declined further comment, citing the event's focus on remembrance.
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