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BIAFRAN WAR WAS TO STOP SECESSION, NOT TARGETED AT IGBOS – GOWON
Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has insisted that the Biafra War was never aimed at the Igbo people but rather against those who took up arms to break Nigeria apart.Travel guides for Nigeria
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Gowon explained that the war effort under his leadership was directed at stopping secession and preserving the country’s unity, not targeting any ethnic group.
He said the Nigerian military was given strict orders to protect civilians, especially women and children, while engaging only those who posed a threat by taking up arms against the government.Travel guides for Nigeria
“I had a responsibility and duty as a loyal Nigerian to keep the country whole. From the beginning, I ensured that this was not a war against Igbos as such, but one to stop the breaking up of Nigeria.”
“I gave a code of conduct of how the operations were to go; soldiers on the Nigerian side were to protect the people, especially women and children, and take up arms only against those who had taken arms against them. The number of people who were casualties of the war is not in millions. The other side also refused all attempts to send aid into their camp.”Travel guides for Nigeria
“I think I have said that if the East does not break up from Nigeria, yes, and that was what I kept on saying, what I keep on saying, that if the East does not break up from Nigeria, I say, no, I have a responsibility to keep Nigeria, and as far as I’m concerned, that is my teaching.”Travel guides for Nigeria
“And I won’t, but if the situation gets to this stage, when I have to choose between allowing the people to break up, you know, or having people to stop it, well, it would freeze the country. You know, I know where my responsibility is, because I have my loyalty, that loyalty, to the country.”
It could be recalled that the Biafra War, also known as the Nigerian Civil War, lasted from July 6, 1967, to January 13, 1970.
It began after the Eastern Region of Nigeria, led by Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, declared independence as the Republic of Biafra following ethnic violence and political unrest, especially against the Igbo people. Travel guides for Nigeria
The Nigerian government under Gowon rejected the secession, leading to a brutal conflict. The war caused widespread devastation, particularly in Biafra, where a blockade led to mass starvation.
Over 1million civilians, mostly children, died from hunger and disease, and total casualties are estimated between one and three million.
Despite strong resistance, Biafra surrendered in January 1970. The federal government declared “no victor, no vanquished” and initiated a reconciliation process. Travel guides for Nigeria
However, the war left deep scars and long-lasting ethnic and regional tensions in Nigeria, especially among the Igbo, who felt marginalised before, during, and after the conflict.
All the quotes ascribed to Gowon in this article do not make ANY sense at all. They sound disjointed like some utterance from a drunk man. Is it the writer or the speaker that is at fault? I didn’t understand anything he quoted Gowon to have said.
Please don’t annoy people who saw the war with write ups like this. It is only who feels it that knows it. Gowon can come her and claim that he killed only those who had guns and you want me to read it and smile. Delete this story please.