Obasanjo Reflects on Civil War, Says Nigerian Troops “Shouldn’t Have Fought Biafran Soldiers”

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has revisited the painful memories of the Nigerian Civil War, saying Nigerian troops should not have been compelled to fight against Biafran forces during the conflict.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Abeokuta while speaking on national unity, reconciliation, and lessons drawn from the 1967–1970 civil war.

He described civil wars as uniquely tragic, stressing that they differ from external conflicts because they force citizens to confront and fight their own countrymen.

The former military commander, who played a frontline role during the war, said the emotional burden of such a conflict remains one of the most difficult experiences of his life.

According to him, both Nigerian soldiers and Biafran fighters were citizens of the same nation, making the war a painful internal struggle rather than a conventional battlefield confrontation.

“We shouldn’t have fought ourselves,” Obasanjo said, noting that civil wars ultimately pit brothers against brothers with devastating consequences for national unity.

He added that the lessons of the conflict should continue to guide Nigeria’s approach to governance, urging leaders and citizens to prioritize dialogue over division.

Obasanjo stressed that peace and reconciliation remain essential tools for preventing future national crises, warning that unresolved grievances can easily escalate if not properly managed.

His remarks come amid ongoing conversations about national cohesion, historical memory, and the need to strengthen unity across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and political landscape.

The former president has consistently advocated for peace-building efforts, often drawing from his wartime experience to highlight the long-term cost of internal conflict.