The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to acknowledge or apologize for the 1967 Asaba massacre.
He also requested increased federal presence in Delta State, particularly in Asaba, citing the lack of essential infrastructure like a federal university.
“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,” Azinge said after he led a delegation to visit President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
The Asaba massacre, a tragic event during the Nigerian Civil War, took place on October 7, 1967.
Federal troops, after retaking Asaba, reportedly gathered unarmed civilians who had come out for a peace procession.
Tragically, many civilians, including men, women, and children, were allegedly shot and killed by soldiers who wrongly believed they were Biafran supporters.
This event is considered one of the most devastating moments of the Civil War. Survivors and their families continue to seek acknowledgment and redress from the government, believing that public recognition would aid in the healing process.
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Following a meeting with the President, the Asagba of Asaba also called for increased federal presence in the area, highlighting the lack of critical infrastructure, such as a federal university.
“Asaba remains the only state capital in Nigeria without a federal university. We need institutions in our locality, and that for us is a major concern,” he stated.
Azinge expressed optimism about the administration’s commitment to national development despite the challenges of governing a country as large and diverse as Nigeria.
“There might be some hiccups, but on the whole, we score him highly in that regard, and we pray for him.
“It is a very difficult country to govern. There will always be criticisms here and there, but I believe he is on the right track, and we wish him the very best,” he told journalists after the closed-door talks.
He expressed gratitude to the President for ongoing federal initiatives in Delta State, specifically mentioning the construction of the Niger Bridge access road and the routing of a gas pipeline through Asaba and Awka.
“Secondly, we acknowledged and appreciated some of the gestures extended by the federal government to our area, especially the access road to the Niger Bridge and the passing of a gas line through Asaba to Awka, all of which are in progress,” he said.
The traditional ruler characterized his visit as both a gesture of thanks and a show of solidarity.
He recalled that a delegation, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, had represented the President at the burial of his predecessor, the 13th Asagba of Asaba.
According to him, “So, on the whole, it turned out to be a wonderful visit. He appreciated our coming and indicated that whenever he visits the South-South, he will make a stop in Asaba.”
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