Recently, some secret documents were recovered from the archive of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). These files analysed and assessed many sectors of the Nigerian economy and also made predictions about the things that are most likely to happen in the future.
A page of the declassified CIA files.
Most importantly, the declassified files revealed some facts about Nigeria and the things that happened in the past. These facts are useful in measuring or studying the economic trend of the nation as a whole.
They also recorded the roles of the past leaders of the nation while assessing the major impacts of the activities that molded Nigeria.
The Nigerian civil war ended in January 1970 and it left so many people in doubt. People were skeptical about the way things would be after the war, particularly if the highly populated country would be divided by the secession.
A recent peak into one of the declassified CIA files showed that there were speculations over the occurrence of the first civil war also known as Biafra. The Biafra would always remain relevant in the history of Nigeria as a nation because there are still agitations from that war presently.
Check out some of the things that was revealed in the declassified CIA document about the first civil war below:
1. The supposed cause
A page of the declassified CIA file showing the prediction of Biafra.
The uneasy military-political movement in Nigeria contributed to the increased armed clashes. The clash between the eastern region and the federal military government created a violent disorder.
The disorders apart, some US interests like the petroleum producing companies were threatened because of the conflicting groups.
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2. The rift between General Gowon and Ojukwu
A page of the declassified CIA file showing the prediction of Biafra.
The mutual disrespect between Colonel Gowon of the FMG and Colonel Ojukwu, the military governor of the east increased and the resolution planned yielded no result.
The degeneration of east federal military government relations was considered to be the most dangerous aspect of the deteriorating political-military milieu.
Also, the CIA file that has been declassified noted that the Yorubas of the western region and ill-disciplined Northern troops stationed there could erupt into violence.
3. The stubbornness of the east and FMG
A page of the declassified CIA file showing the prediction of Biafra.
The reluctance of the east or the FMG to bear the onus for breaking up Nigeria contributed to the war. This is not to ignore Gowon’s preference for a peaceful solution and the lack of confidence in the reliability and capability of his armed forces.
Ojukwu’s fault lied in his willingness to accept some sort of confederal arrangement short of eastern independence. The willingness of the military extremists in both camps to carry out their threats was also some form of friction.
4. Emotional responses from Ojukwu and Gowon
A page of the declassified CIA file showing the prediction of Biafra.
The secret document revealed that Gowon and Ojukwu were hardening their stands while thinking of moves that will always anger the other person.
The east was hell bent on securing the oil revenues derived from its region which was a source of revenue to the FMG.
Gowon may also decree the establishment of new states among the minority areas in the east as an inflammatory step. There were speculations that he could withdraw Ojukwu’s appointment as governor if Ojukwu failed to obey him.
The documents also noted that Ojukwu was disillusioned by the lack of support from the UK and the US and this made him turn to the French for military equipment.
5. Acquisition of arms
The FMG had already acquired arms from private Italian firms. The document revealed that the fourth battalion in northern Nigeria has moved from its base in Kaduna to positions along the eastern region border.
This move was perceived to increase the chances of a military clash; an FMG attack on the east and an eastern preemptive military operations against the north.
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6. Armed conflict between the east and the FMG
As mentioned above, armed conflict between the east and the FMG would out the US in an awkward position.
Although the files recorded that the violence would not be directed against the whites but some US citizens spread across the nation may be exposed to danger. There was also a potential threat to US petroleum producing companies.
360naze
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