Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigerian troops should never have fought Biafran soldiers during the Nigerian Civil War, describing civil conflicts as tragic because citizens are forced to battle one another.
Obasanjo made the remark on Monday in Abeokuta while reflecting on his experiences during the 1967–1970 civil war and speaking on the need for national unity and reconciliation.
The former president, who served as a commander during the war, said civil wars are different from external conflicts because the ultimate goal should be peace and unity rather than destruction.
According to him, both Nigerian soldiers and Biafran troops were citizens of the same country, making the conflict emotionally painful for many of those involved.
“We shouldn’t have fought ourselves. Civil war is different from fighting external enemies because at the end of the day, you are fighting your brothers,” Obasanjo said.
He added that the lessons from the war should inspire Nigerians to embrace peace, dialogue, and unity in order to avoid another national conflict.
