Connect with us
X
Categories:

General

BIAFRA WAR: War Between Biafra And Nigeria In 1967 – 1970

Published

on

Share this post:
BIAFRA WAR: War Between Biafra And Nigeria In 1967 - 1970
Biafra Soldiers

Although, “History of Nigeria” has a lot of dark pages. Dramatic changes go far back to the British colonial rule.

The Nigerian civil war of which is also known as Biafra war started on the 6th of July 1967 and ended on 15th of January 1970, was a war fought by Nigeria against Biafra to counter the secession of Biafra from the Republic of Nigeria.The Igbos felt they could no longer relate smoothly with the northern dominated federal government and saw secession as the only way to survive or avoid extinction.

Immediate Causes of the Nigerian Civil War are

  • The first military coup of January, 15 1966 led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, was seen as an Igbo coup. Many Northern leaders like Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Alahji Ahmadu Bello and so on were killed in the coup while some Igbo leaders were spared. Later, General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was installed as the Head of State. This arose a flame of anger among the Northerners who sensed the dominance of the Igbos and were ready to retaliate.
  • The second coup in Nigeria: A counter coup on July 29, 1966 which brought General Yakubu Gowon to power. Few months after the first coup, a northerner-led counter coup was staged in which General Aguiyi Ironsi was killed and General Yakubu Gowon became the new Head of State.
  • The massacre of Igbos living in the northern part of Nigeria. After the first and second coup, tension had began to rise in Northern Nigeria where the embers of ethnic discrimination against the Igbos was glowing hard. It was at the peak of this discrimination that the massacre of the Igbos kicked off.

 

BIAFRA WAR: War Between Biafra And Nigeria In 1967 - 1970
Ojukwu et citizens

As a means of keeping the country united in the last result, the country was divided into twelve states from the former 4 regions by the Federal Military Government in May 1967. The former Eastern region under Lt. Col. Ojukwu saw the act of creating twelve states by decree without consultation as the last straw. And then, on the 30th of May, 1967, Lt. Col. Chukuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the existence and independence of the Republic of Biafra.

BIAFRA WAR: War Between Biafra And Nigeria In 1967 - 1970
(Benjamin Adekunle aka Black Scorpion)

The Federal Military Government (FMG) ordered the retake of the Eastern region back into Nigeria. On the 6th of July, 1976, the Nigerian federal troops marched in two divisions into Biafra. Division 1, led by Col. Shuwa operated through the north of Biafra, while the second Division advanced on Nsukka which later fell on July 14.

BIAFRA WAR: War Between Biafra And Nigeria In 1967 - 1970
Soldiers

On the 9th of July, the Biafrans retaliated by marching into the mid-western region of Nigeria across the Niger River, passing through Benin city and later stopped at Ore on August 21.
This attack was led by Lt. Col. Banjo. The Biafran troops captured the mid-west easily because there was little repulsion from soldiers guarding the region.

BIAFRA WAR: War Between Biafra And Nigeria In 1967 - 1970
Ready Soldiers

This infuriated Gowon and asked Col. Muhammad Muritala to form another division (Division 2) to drive the Biafrans out of mid-west and attack Biafra as well. The mid-west region was recaptured by the Nigerian army on the 20th of September.
Enugu was made the capital of Biafra, and later when Enugu was captured (October, 1967), Aba, Umuahia and Owerri served successively as the provisional capitals.

Within a year, the Federal Military Government (FMG) captured the city of Port Harcourt and many other coastal oil facilities. The FMG blocked all the routes for transporting food into the Republic of Biafra which led to severe starvation. The FMG saw this as a war strategy and a way to keep Nigeria united, while many people around the world saw this as nothing but a genocide.

BIAFRA WAR: War Between Biafra And Nigeria In 1967 - 1970
Soldiers Protecting citizens

The food flown in by foreign mercenary pilots was very little and couldn’t solve the starvation Biafra was facing. One of the notable mercenaries was the Swedish Carl Gustav Von Rosen who attacked Nigerian military airfields in Port Harcourt, Benin City and Enugu. Over 2 million Biafrans died of starvation. The FMG also attacked the Biafrans through air, land and sea, therefore leaving the Biafrans helpless and reducing their population drastically.

By the end of the year 1969, it was obvious that the war will soon come to an end. The FMG launched its final operation known as “Operation Tail-Wind” on January 7, 1970. The operation carried out by the 3rd Marine Commando Division and supported by the 1st and 2nd Infantry division. Owerri was captured on the 9th of January, while Uli fell on the 11th of that same January.
The self- acclaimed head of state of Biafra, Lt. Col. Ojukwu, aware of the hopelessness of the situation fled the Republic immediately with his family on the 10th of January, 1970. The commander of the Biafran army, who was left with the administration of the republic later surrendered to the Federal Government on the 14th of January, 1970, thus bringing the war and bloodshed to an end. The war officially ended on the 15th of January, 1970.

Biafra Camp

BELOW ARE THE NOTABLE WAR EVENTS

  1. The Biafra War- Ekwe-Ekwe (1990)
  2. Civil War in Nigeria- Audrey Chapman (1968)
  3. Historical Analysis Of Nigeria- Biafra Conflict- Olawoyin (1971)
  4. The Biafra Story- Frederick Forsyth (1969)

Get More Stories Like This On: Facebook: @AllNaijaEntertainment, Twitter: @AllNaijaEntertainment
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Chief Oyerigha Echo Toikumoh - The Earlier The Better
Music1 month ago

[Music] Chief Oyerigha Echo Toikumoh – The Earlier The Better

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola's place at Manchester City
Sports1 month ago

Enzo Maresca and Mikel Arteta stated they will not take Pep Guardiola’s place at Manchester City

Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star is ‘not going to get better’
Sports1 month ago

Alan Shearer reckons Liverpool star is ‘not going to get better’

NECO examiners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid entitlements
News1 month ago

NECO examiners threaten nationwide protest over unpaid entitlements

Jonathan congratulates Trump on historic election win
News1 month ago

Jonathan congratulates Trump on historic election win

Peter Obi can become president in 2027 — Yunusa Tanko
News1 month ago

Peter Obi can become president in 2027 — Yunusa Tanko

Dua Lipa forced to cancel show after ‘unforeseen safety issues’
Entertainment1 month ago

Dua Lipa forced to cancel show after ‘unforeseen safety issues’

Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Female Performance in a feature at AFRIFF 2024
Entertainment1 month ago

Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Female Performance in a feature at AFRIFF 2024

'Phoenix Fury' bags Best Film award at the 13th edition of AFRIFF
Entertainment1 month ago

‘Phoenix Fury’ bags Best Film award at the 13th edition of AFRIFF

Vivo begins teasing new Dimensity 9400 flagships internationally
Technology1 month ago

Vivo begins teasing new Dimensity 9400 flagships internationally

Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may trade performance gains for longer battery life
Technology1 month ago

Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may trade performance gains for longer battery life

Manchester United players warned ‘only one is safe’ under Ruben Amorim
Sports1 month ago

Manchester United players warned ‘only one is safe’ under Ruben Amorim

Austin DeAnda given impromptu makeover after he is forced to have haircut in the middle of fight
Sports1 month ago

Austin DeAnda given impromptu makeover after he is forced to have haircut in the middle of fight

IG orders punishment for errant cops
News1 month ago

IG orders punishment for errant cops

Be ready to recover stolen mandate — Ighodalo tells PDP
News1 month ago

Be ready to recover stolen mandate — Ighodalo tells PDP

No part of Ogun will be ceded under my watch — Dapo Abiodun
News1 month ago

No part of Ogun will be ceded under my watch — Dapo Abiodun

Ruger calls out auto tune and hype culture in music
Entertainment1 month ago

Ruger calls out auto tune and hype culture in music

I hate to play same role repeatedly — Actress Bimbo Akintola
Entertainment1 month ago

I hate to play same role repeatedly — Actress Bimbo Akintola

Fans split on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy's Grammy nominations.
Entertainment1 month ago

Fans split on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s Grammy nominations

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: Leaker reveals launch details for Samsung's rival iPhone 17 Air
Technology1 month ago

Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: Leaker reveals launch details for Samsung’s rival iPhone 17 Air

Realme names first smartphone to get Android 15 beta worldwide
Technology1 month ago

Realme names first smartphone to get Android 15 beta worldwide

England interim manager tipped for surprise Premier League job
Sports1 month ago

England interim manager tipped for surprise Premier League job

Hakim Ziyech mocks Israeli supporters attacked in Amsterdam
Sports1 month ago

Hakim Ziyech mocks Israeli supporters attacked in Amsterdam

Court jails seven for internet fraud in Kaduna
News1 month ago

Court jails seven for internet fraud in Kaduna

Edo APC criticizes Obaseki’s last-minute appointments
News1 month ago

Edo APC criticizes Obaseki’s last-minute appointments

Edo PDP announces caretaker committee
News1 month ago

Edo PDP announces caretaker committee

Tems makes history after securing 3 nominations for the 67th Grammys
Entertainment1 month ago

Tems makes history after securing 3 nominations for the 67th Grammys

Beyoncé surpasses Jay-Z to become the most nominated artist in Grammy history
Entertainment1 month ago

Beyoncé surpasses Jay-Z to become the most nominated artist in Grammy history

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations
Entertainment1 month ago

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations

Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Asake make 2025 Grammy nominations
Entertainment1 month ago

2025 GRAMMY: Academy unveils category changes ahead of nomination event

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Final Episode 13)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 12)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 11)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 10)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 09)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 08)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 07)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 06)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 05)

The Pastor Daughter Story by Miriam Edem _ ANE Story
ANE Stories1 month ago

[STORY] THE PASTOR’S DAUGHTER (Episode 04)

ANE Billboard Hots



Join "ANE sabi" clique

Don't miss a thing, get ogbonge ANE latest updates to fuel your conversation daily.