– The Nigerian civil war which broke out on July 6, 1967, and is also called the Biafran war is one war that remains in the consciousness of every Nigerian
– 45 years after the war, Nnamdi Kanu, an advocate of Biafra secession was arrested by the Nigerian government on October 15, 2015
– As Kanu gained freedom from jail, almost two years after the his arrest, we bring to you 9 things you probably don’t know about the historical war
The Nigerian civil war raged until January 15, 1970 and today, 47 years later there are still some facts that need to be pointed out as they are an important part of Nigerian history.
Here are some of those facts:
1. The war was fought for 2 years, 6 months, 1 week and 2 days. After a hard fought war that led to the death of a lot of Nigerians, the surrender paper was signed on January 14, 1970 in Lagos and the next day it was over.
2. The end of the war came, when the final Nigerian offensive, named “Operation Tail-Wind”, was launched on January 7, 1970.
The 3rd Marine Commando Division attacked, and was supported by the 1st Infantry division to the north and the 2nd Infantry division to the south. The Biafran town of Owerri fell on January 9, and Uli on January 11.
3. The support of the British was instrumental in the Nigerian victory. The British lent support on December 23, 1969, with a major thrust by the 3rd Marine Commando Division.
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4. The Asaba massacres occurred in early October 1967, during the war. It is estimated that more than 700 men and boys were killed, some as young as 12 years old, in addition to many more killed in the preceding days.
47 years after the end of civil war, the Igbos have never stopped demanding for secession, and the agitation is gaining more strength and support everyday.
5. Biafra was formally recognized by Gabon, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and Zambia. Other nations which did not give official recognition, but provided support and assistance to included Israel, France, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Rhodesia, South Africa and the Vatican City.
6. In May 1969, Biafrian commandos raided an oil field in Kwale and killed 11 Saipem workers and Agip technicians.
They captured three Europeans and then at a nearby Okpai Field Development Biafrian commandos surrounded and captured 15 more expatriate personnel.
The captives were: 14 Italians, 3 West Germans and one Lebanese. They were tried by a Biafrian court and sentenced to death for aiding the Nigerian army. However, when the Pope intervened, Ojukwu pardoned and released them.
7. Ethnic Minorities including: Ibibio, Ijaw, Ikwerre, Ogoni and others were suspected of sabotage by the Biafran authorities and subjected to constant surveillance and sifting for saboteurs. This distrust made it difficult for the Biafran state.
READ ALSO: Five Reasons Why Biafra May Not Be Actualised
8. The Bank of Biafra was created by the Biafran government under “Decree No. 3 of 1967”. The bank was administered by a governor and four directors; the first governor, who signed on bank notes, was Sylvester Ugoh.
9. The word Biafra likely comes from the subgroup Biafar or Biafada of the Tenda ethnic group who reside primarily in Guinea-Bissau.
Manuel Álvares, a Portuguese Jesuit educator, in his work Ethiopia Minor and a geographical account of the Province of Sierra Leone, writes about the “Biafar heathen” in chapter 13 of his book.
Some though believe it is gotten from the words Bay of Ephraim, B’Ephraim as Igbos believe they are descendants of the biblical Ephraim.
Below is a video of the moment Nnamdi Kanu was released from Kuje prison.
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