What was the Nigerian Civil War with Biafra?
Nigerian Civil War With Biafra: The Untold Story. The Nigerian Civil War, popularly known as the Nigeria-Biafra War which lasted from 6th July 1967 – 15th January 1970 almost destroyed the unity of Nigeria.
What was the strategy of the Biafra War?
The Biafra strategy had succeeded: the federal government had started the war, and the East was defending itself. The Nigerian Army offensive was through the north of Biafra led by Colonel Mohammed Shuwa and the local military units were formed as the 1st Infantry Division. The division was led mostly by northern officers.
Who declared the Republic of Biafra?
51 years ago, the late Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the republic of Biafra, hence, the Nigeria civil war that started weeks later.
Who was involved in the Battle of Biafra?
Major General W.A. Milroy was joined by two other Canadian officers in 1968, and the Canadian contingent remained until February 1970. Biafra appealed unsuccessfully for support from the Organisation of African Unity (the precursor to the African Union ).
Who started Biafra war?
Shortly after extending its blockade to include oil, the Nigerian government launched a "police action" to retake the secessionist territory. The war began on the early hours of 6 July 1967 when Nigerian Federal troops advanced in two columns into Biafra.
What caused Biafra war in 1967?
Mounting secessionist pressures from his fellow Igbo finally compelled Ojukwu on May 30, 1967, to declare the Eastern region an independent sovereign state as the Republic of Biafra. Federal troops soon afterward invaded Biafra, and civil war broke out in July 1967.
What ended the Biafran war?
July 6, 1967 – January 15, 1970Nigerian Civil War / Period
How many Igbos died in the Biafran war?
Between 8,000 and 30,000 Igbos and easterners have been estimated to have been killed. A further 1 million Igbos fled the Northern Region into the East....1966 Anti-Igbo pogromDate1966TargetIgbos and other easternersAttack typePogromDeaths8,000 to 30,0003 more rows
How many wars has Nigeria had?
Civil War (1967–1970)ConflictCombatant 1ResultNigerian Civil War (1967–1970)Nigeria EgyptVictory Reincorporation of Biafra into NigeriaOperation UNICORD (1967)NigeriaVictoryMidwest Invasion of 1967 (1967)NigeriaVictoryFirst Invasion of Onitsha (1967)NigeriaBiafran victory11 more rows
Who named Nigeria?
journalist Flora ShawThe name Nigeria was suggested in the late 19th Century by British journalist Flora Shaw, who would later marry the British colonial administrator Lord Frederick Lugard.
How did the Nigerian war end?
The Nigerian Civil War ended on January 15, 1970, with the surrender of Biafran leadership. If the coup of January 15, 1966 was the immediate cause of the civil war, its historical roots are traceable to British colonial rule.
What is the remote cause of Nigerian civil war?
The remote causes include but not limited to the following: the Kano Riot of 1953; the national census controversy of 1962; the general election crisis of 1964; the Western Region election of 1965; free expression of tribal sentiments in political campaigns; the tendency to suppress opposition in politics, domination ...
What were the immediate causes of the Civil War?
A key issue was states' rights. The Southern states wanted to assert their authority over the federal government so they could abolish federal laws they didn't support, especially laws interfering with the South's right to keep slaves and take them wherever they wished. Another factor was territorial expansion.
When did Biafra war start and end?
July 6, 1967 – January 15, 1970Nigerian Civil War / Period
What were some effects of the Biafran war?
We analyze long-term impacts of the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War, providing the first evidence of intergenerational impacts. Women exposed to the war in their growing years exhibit reduced adult stature, increased likelihood of being overweight, earlier age at first birth, and lower educational attainment.
Who was the leader of Biafra?
It was a result of the Nigerian government’s efforts to counter the struggle by Igbo people of the Eastern Region to break away from Nigeria under the new name – The Republic of Biafra led by a military officer and politician, late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
What was the capital of Biafra?
Enugu was made the capital of Biafra, and later when Enugu was captured in October 1967, Aba, Umuahia and Owerri served successively as the provisional capitals. Within a year, the Federal Military Government captured the city of Port Harcourt and many other coastal oil facilities.
Who are Biafrans?
when you talk about Biafrans you are referring to the inhabitants of South-East Nigeria who are mostly the Igbos. The group pursued their desire for secession due to economic, ethnic, cultural, and religious tensions among the various people of Nigeria.
What is the Biafran flag?
Biafran Flag. The flag of the Republic of Biafra was created by the Biafran Government and raised on May 30, 1967. It consists of red, black, and green horizontal colours. At the middle of it, a golden sun rises over a golden bar; the sun has eleven rays, representing the eleven provinces of Biafra.
What is the Biafran currency?
Biafran Currency. The Republic of Biafra had a different currency from that of Nigeria – the Biafran pound which went public on 28 January 1968. The Biafran government created the Bank of Biafra, accomplished under “Decree No. 3 of 1967”. The bank was administered by a governor and four directors; the first governor, who signed on bank notes, ...
What currency did Biafra use?
The currency of Biafra had been the Nigerian pound until the Bank of Biafra started printing out its own notes, the Biafran pound. It is estimated that a total of £115–140 million Biafran pounds were in circulation by the end of the war.
How many Biafrans died from starvation?
The food flown in by foreign mercenary pilots was very little and couldn’t solve the starvation Biafra was facing. Over 2 million Biafrans died of starvation. By the end of the year 1969, it was obvious that the war will soon come to an end.
What was the Biafra war?
The Biafra War In Nigeria: Causes, Development, And Aftermath. Causes Of The War - Like many other African nations, Nigeria was an artificial structure created by colonial powers in the nineteenth century. Ethnically, Nigeria was divided into three main regions, although there were over 300 different ethnicities in the country.
What happened in 1966?
Kaduna Nzeogwu and other junior Army officers, mainly of Ibo descent, launched a coup d'etat against the federal government. This coup resulted in the seizure of power by General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was an Ibo and head of the Nigerian army. The coup d'etat itself failed, as Ironsi rallied the military against the plotters and quickly set-up military rule. Overall, the coup was perceived as an "Ibo conspiracy", in that the ease with which Ironsi put a stop to the coup led to the suspicion that the Ibo had planned all along for Ironsi to take power.
Why did the Nigeria-Biafra war happen?
The Nigeria-Biafra war was ultimately destined to happen due to massive failures by the British to understand the region.
When did Biafra become independent?
On 30 May 1967, the east’s political leadership around Ojukwu declared its independence as the Republic of Biafra, named after the Bight of Biafra, a bay on the country’s Atlantic coast.
What was the significance of the massacres?
The massacres were one of the key events in the unfolding of the civil war. Amidst rampant fears among the Igbos in particular, the Eastern Region began to call for more autonomy. Ever since the end of colonialism had become imaginable; the leaderships of all regions had at times pondered secession.
What were the three mega tribes competing for?
At the national level, the three ‘mega-tribes’ competed for state resources that had become increasingly lucrative thanks to the revenues from oil and other commodities.
How was Nigeria created?
Nigeria is created as a unified territory through the amalgamation of Britain’s colonial possessions in the region.
When did the Biafran surrender?
After two and a half years of fighting, the remaining Biafran regime surrendered on 15 January 1970.
When was Ironsi captured?
Many in the north considered Ironsi’s government as a continuation of the southern-instigated coup and, in the last days of July 1966, he was captured and killed in a counter-coup by a group of northern officers and soldiers.
When did Biafra secede?
In 1967, following two coups and turmoil which led to about a million Igbos returning to the south-east of Nigeria, the Republic of Biafra seceded with 33-year-old military officer Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at the helm. The Nigerian government declared war and after 30 months of fighting, Biafra surrendered.
How many people died in the Biafra war?
Remembering Nigeria's Biafra war that many prefer to forget. The deaths of more than a million people in Nigeria as a result of the brutal civil war which ended exactly 50 years ago are a scar on the nation's history. For most Nigerians, the war over the breakaway state of Biafra is generally regarded as an unfortunate episode best forgotten, ...
What happened in Nigeria in 1966?
June to October 1966 - Riots in northern Nigeria targeted at Igbos, killing many and forcing up to a million to return to south-eastern Nigeria. May 1967 - Ojukwu declares independence of the Republic of Biafra. April 1969 - Umuahia, new Biafran capital falls to Nigerian forces.
What was Christopher Ejike's role in the Nigerian army?
Almost every student he knew became part of the war effort. He joined the Biafran army and was assigned to the signal unit, whose responsibilities included "active intelligence and eavesdropping on the Nigerian military". Christopher Ejike Ago. The Nigerians who were pursuing us were trained soldiers...
What did Oragwu wish the Igbo had done?
Mr Oragwu wishes that the Igbo had paid less attention to the s cramble for power at the centre, and instead distinguished their region by advancing the technological gains of the war. "Biafra would have been a technological nation and would have been able to compete with anybody," he said, anger in his voice.
When did the Nigerian war end?
The Nigerian government declared war and after 30 months of fighting, Biafra surrendered. On 15 January 1970, the conflict officially ended. The government's policy of "no victor, no vanquished" may have led to a lack of official reflection, but many Nigerians of Igbo origin grew up on stories from people who lived through the war.
How many people were killed in the Igbo?
This led to months of massacres against the Igbo living in the north. Tens of thousands were killed while about a million fled to what was then known as the Eastern Region.
When did the Biafra conflict happen?
A young officer orders an attack during the Biafra conflict in Nigeria in 1969.
Who led the Biafra protest?
People from Biafra gather during a worldwide demonstration organised by the Indigenous People of Biafra in 2014. Led by British-Nigerian Nnamdi Kanu, the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), a group fighting for an independent state of Biafra wants the old eastern region of Nigeria to break away.
What did Jubilant Biafran celebrate on top of?
Jubilant Biafran soldiers celebrate on top of a destroyed Nigerian army armored personnel carrier.
What was the Biafran government doing during the war?
During the war, the Biafran government reported that Nigeria was using hunger as a weapon to win, and sought aid from the outside world. Nigeria led multiple blockades preventing relief materials from getting into Biafra. As a result, thousands of people starved. Hide Caption.
Why did John Lennon return his MBE?
Beatles singer John Lennon returned his MBE in a protest over Britain's foreign policy, which included Biafra and the Vietnam war. Evelyn Okororie was a trader in Port Harcourt, southeast Nigeria before the civil war broke out. She lost three children in the war. Read More.
When did Ojukwu declare independence?
Ojukwu declared independence for the Republic of Biafra in 1966 following a spate of violence that occurred in the north of Nigeria against Igbo people. The Nigerian government at the time opposed secession, which ensued after failed talks on reconciliation. This led to a divisive and bitter war from 1967 to 1970.
Who was the UN Secretary General in 1970?
Gen. Yakubu Gowon, right, welcomes UN Secretary-General U Thant, left, as he arrives in Lagos to hold talks about the refugee crisis in the aftermath of the Biafran conflict on January 19, 1970.
Who was the leader of the Biafran army?
Colonel Victor Banjo, who led the biafran forces on the 9 th of August, 1967, was executed as ordered by the President of Biafra and General of the Biafran army, late Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on 22 nd of September, 1967. France and Israel made weapons available to both sides during the Nigerian civil war.
Who declared the Republic of Biafra?
51 years ago, the late Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the republic of Biafra, hence, the Nigeria civil war that started weeks later. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. The Nigeria civil war is not something anybody with humanity will ever pray for again in Nigeria, even the survivors of the Nigerian civil war do not pray ...
Who Won The Nigerian Civil War?
In the bloody fight between Nigeria and Republic of Biafra, Nigeria won the Civil war.
How long did Biafra exist?
The republic of Biafra existed for a short period of 961 days, during which it had its biafran states. The following are included in the list of biafran states:
What was cropped Oasdom Civil War?
cropped Oasdom Civil war in Nigeria History of Nigeria civil war with biafra. The history of Nigeria will never be complete without highlighting the tales of the Nigerian civil war – the Biafra war as some have come to know it. Every parent who lived in the 1960s knows what it really meant to be a parent in the face of hunger, disease, ...
Where did Biafra flee?
The late biafran warlord fled for his life to Ivory Coast, where he was granted political asylum. 11 th of January, 1970, Uli fell. On the 13 th of January, 1970; Biafra surrendered to Nigeria bringing an end to the Nigerian civil war but not an irrevocable damage.
What is the name of the radio station that is called the Voice of Biafra?
Year 2017, MASSOB, began another radio station called the Voice of Biafra International. Today, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) is now known as the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM). The call for restructuring is the recent chant word or Biafra.
What happened to Biafra in 1970?
The Nigerian conquest of the city of Owerri on 6 January 1970 signaled the collapse of Biafra's resistance, ending their Civil War. Lieutenant Colonel Chukumeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the leader who in 1967 declared their secession, fled to the Ivory Coast. On 12 January 1970 Biafran Chief of Army Staff Major General Phillip Effiong surrendered to the Nigerian government, stating Biafra's physical and psychological surrender: "We are firm, we are loyal Nigerian citizens and accept the authority of the Federal Military Government. We accept the existing administrative and political structure of the federation of Nigeria. The Republic of Biafra hereby ceases to exist" (Oko qtd. in "Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity"). Colonel Yakubu Dan-Yumma Gowon, Nigeria's new head of state, accepted Biafra's unconditional surrender and began a Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation program to insure that, as he declared, there would be no victor and no vanquished. While there was international debate over whether the Nigerian Civil War had represented genocide of the Igbo peoples, it was determined by the international community that, while the death and destruction in Igbo land reached devastating proportions, the intent of the Nigerian government was not systematic destruction of a targeted people in genocide, as had occurred in Rewanda and Germany, but rather a determined effort to end secession and thereby preserve a unified nation of Nigeria, as occurred in the American Civil War.
When did Biafra surrender?
On 12 January 1970 Biafran Chief of Army Staff Major General Phillip Effiong surrendered to the Nigerian government, stating Biafra's physical and psychological surrender: "We are firm, we are loyal Nigerian citizens and accept the authority of the Federal Military Government.
Why did the Biafrans suffer?
With the Nigerian blockade cutting off the Biafrans from their expected source of oil revenue from the Rivers state, the Biafrans suffered loss of life and malnutrition. For a variety of state reasons, global humanitarian aid was scarce and inadequate, leaving Biafrans without food, medicines, or clothing.
What was the name of the nation that was in the north during the Nigerian Civil War?
The Hausa/Fulani were in the north; the Yoruba were in the west; the Igbo were in the south. The Nigerian Civil War, between the self-declared secessionist nation of Biafra and the independent nation of Nigeria, began on 30 May 1967 and ended on 12 January 1970. Though there were complex multiple causes, the primary cause, ...
What happened in 1966?
A "revenge coup" on 29 July 1966 resulted in the assassination of Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi at Ibadan putting an end to his unitary government. A summit of military leaders of the opposing factions was held at Aburi, Ghana, beginning 4 January 1967. There, they agreed to a confederal system of government.
When was the civilian government established?
establishment of civilian government and extinguishing of military government on 1 October 1975. well operated, non-controversial national census. draft a new national constitution. hold honest elections. creation of states according to the 1967 agreement on implementing a confederal system of government.
Who accepted Biafra's unconditional surrender?
Colonel Yakubu Dan-Yumma Gowon, Nigeria's new head of state, accepted Biafra's unconditional surrender and began a Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation program to insure that, as he declared, there would be no victor and no vanquished.
Who Are Biafrans?
The Biafran States
- The Republic of Biafra was mainly made up of the former Eastern region of Nigeria and was inhabited principally by the Igbo ethnic group. Biafra has been commonly divided into four main “tribes” which include: the Igbos, the Ibibio-Efiks, the Ijaws, and the Ogojas. The modern-day states that makeup Biafra from the eastern region and Midwest are Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayels…
The Genesis of Biafran Nigerian War
- The immediate cause of the civil war may be identified as the coup and the counter-coup of 1966 which altered the political equation and destroyed the fragile trust existing among the major ethnic groups. Before the full-blown war, there was a military coup in 1966 (carried out by Maj. Nzeogwu which led to the death of Tafawa Belewa, among others), a counter-coup (led by Gowo…
How The Biafra Civil War Ended
- At the orders of the Federal Military Government, the Nigerian federal troops marched in two divisions into Biafra on the 6th of July, 1976. 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. On the 9th of July, the Biafrans led by Lt. Col. Banjo retaliated b...