In a recent interview with Vanguard Newspapers, Dr. ABC Nwosu, former Minister of Health and Biafran Army officer, shed light on the circumstances surrounding the declaration of Biafra's secession in 1967. According to Nwosu, the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu had no choice but to declare independence, given the prevailing mood in the Eastern Region.
The Aburi Accord and Its Aftermath
Nwosu explained that the collapse of the Aburi Accord and the subsequent attacks on Gakem by Nigerian troops left Ojukwu with no room for indecision. "If Ojukwu had failed to respond once the shots rang out at Gakem, people would have got rid of Ojukwu, they would have killed him," Nwosu stated. This assertion underscores the immense pressure Ojukwu faced from his own people, who were determined to defend themselves against perceived aggression.
A Collective Resistance
Nwosu described the Nigerian Civil War as a collective resistance by the Eastern people against targeted violence and injustice. He emphasized that the war was not Ojukwu's personal ambition but a response to the mass killings of Igbos in Northern Nigeria and the Nigerian troops' "Operation-do-or-die" campaign. "It was the Biafran people's war in response to being shot at by the Nigerian troops," Nwosu said.
Volunteers and Unity
Contrary to claims of forced conscription, Nwosu noted that many young men eagerly volunteered to defend the region. The people were united in the belief that they were fighting for survival and dignity. Nwosu's account offers valuable insights into the internal pressures, public sentiment, and military realities that led to the declaration of Biafra.
A Painful Chapter in Nigeria's History
The Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, remains a painful chapter in Nigeria's history, claiming over a million lives. Nwosu's statements provide a nuanced understanding of the events that led to the war and its devastating consequences. As Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of unity and identity, the lessons of the Biafran secession remain relevant today.
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