Around January 1966, there was a failed military coup in which brought down Sir Ahmadu Bello and a lot of other leaders. Part of the major coup plotters include Kaduna Nzeogwu. Aguiyi Ironsi (an Easterner) came into power as the new military head of Nigeria.

He meant well for Nigeria, but made some fundamental mistakes, par of which include not executing the coup plotters. The tension was high in the country. So another coup brewed.

Saturday, July 30, 1966. Ironsi was overthrown in another bloody coup led by people he trusted. It all started with northern soldiers massacre of Eastern soldier in Abeokuta, that later spread to all parts of the country. The main men behind Ironsi overthrow was Muritala Muhammad and Theophilus Danjuma..who was head of Ironsi' Personal Security detail.

It was expected that Murital will become the head of state. But when the northerners met in Lagos, they decided to appoint the most senior ranking northern officer: Lt. Col Yakubu Gowon as head of state.

The provincial governor of the eastern region rejected this tribalism immediately, as though Gowon was the most senior northern officer, he wasn't the most senior Nigerian officer.

Tension brewed.

hmmmmm...yammy.... ...*fingers crossed*....

Yawn spread mat.. .

The Provincial Governor of the eastern region, Lt. Col Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, made it clear that he was not in support of the military head of state. Also, the coup of January 1966 and July 1966 left much Igbos dead and many running back to the east.

These and other reasons contributed to the growing tension from the east. Therefore, Ojukwu and Gowon met as guests of the president of Ghana at Aburi, 1967 for peace talks.

The peace talks was peaceful, and Ojukwu categorically suggested that there should hold a conference where the people of Nigeria will discuss her future. No one knew what Ojukwu was planning.

Lt. Col Ojukwu, dissatisfied with the government, was waiting for Awolowo to be released from Prison. He thought that because of the domination of the North, which was at that time over 70% of Nigeria (appointments, land mass, influence), Awolowo would lead the yorubas out of Nigeria, so he too will lead the Igbos out of Nigeria.

What he didn't realize is that Awolowo had other plans. So instead of leading the Yoruba out of Nigeria, Awolowo accepted a post in the illegal military government. His post made him the highest ranking civilian in government.

So on the 30th of May, 1966, Lt. Col Ojukwu proclaimed the Republic of Biafra through Radio Biafra

This irradical action was a call for war. Gowon announced then that the seccesionists must be crushed as we can not allow proliferation of states. That if the nation split, the smaller States will become protectorates of foreign powers who will gain a lot better selling arms and watching war grow, people killing people.

The Nigerian Army therefore declared war on the secessionists.

Major Military members who fought against Ojukwu include
Shehu Musa Yaradua
Ken Saro Wiwa
Muhammad Buhari
Ibrahim Babangida
Benjamin Adekunle
Olusegun Obasanjo

Some of the mercenaries who fought for Biafra are pictured below

The war raged for 2 and half years. 2 million people died, 4 million Igbos almost died because of starvation....

It was bloody...

Until Ojukwu fled to Zambia, Central Africa in 1970 and handed over to his deputy Phillip Effiong

He realized his foolishness.

At 4:40pm, January 12, 1970, Phillip Effiong surrendered to Nigeria and he was welcomed back open heartedly by Gowon at dodan barracks.

Despite the pressure, Gowon took no military action against the repentant secessionists. Instead he welcomed all back to Nigeria.

For this he was nicknamed - Go on with One Nigeria (GOWON).

The NYSC scheme was created by Gowon as an aftermath of the war. He intended it to unite Nigeria further and create unity and solidarity accross the land.

The scheme exist till today.

This brief summary is not to incite tribal war, but to allow all the foolish tribalist youths on Nairaland learn from the past. Violence only begets violence.

In war, people die, children suffer, and lands are destroyed. No matter how terrible the national situation is, war is the last thing anybody wants.

"Life and history have taught us that conflicts are never resolved without effective give and take from both sides".... MLK

Let's tolerate one another; Youths, history repeats itself. History repeats itself.

Cc lalasticlala, Dominique, seun

You see this space enh.... I don buy am.

If speak my mind now,some dude go ban me.
Let me just observe.

Thebachelor:
If speak my mind now,some dude go ban me.
Let me just observe.

Xtopherprince:
You see this space enh.... I don buy am.

Lol...make una make reasonable comments Na...
Youths of Nigeria...wake up fa..

KingJB:


Lol...make una make reasonable comments Na...
Youths of Nigeria...wake up fa..

You don't understand. This forum has a restriction on freedom of expression.

The opener of this thread is still in nursery school as far as the issues are concerned.

PFRB:
The opener of this thread is still in nursery school as far as the issues are concerned.

Bros 'OP' means original poster/owner of post, nobe opener.

PFRB:
The opener of this thread is still in nursery school as far as the issues are concerned.

Bros 'OP' means original poster/owner of post, nobe opener. Here nobe beer parlour

PFRB:
The opener of this thread is still in nursery school as far as the issues are concerned.

You are very right... We were not there. We only studied history.

KingJB:
This brief summary is not to incite tribal war, but to allow all the foolish tribalist youths on Nairaland learn from the past. Violence only begets violence.

In war, people die, children suffer, and lands are destroyed. No matter how terrible the national situation is, war is the last thing anybody wants.

"Life and history have taught us that conflicts are never resolved without effective give and take from both sides".... MLK

Let's tolerate one another; Youths, history repeats itself. History repeats itself.

Cc lalasticlala, Dominique, seun

How come you opened this thread but you didn't even bother to make a thorough investigation of Nigerian history? Who told you that Murtala was to made head of state? Who told you that Ojukwu flew to Zambia? Why didn't you say anything about what was agreed in Aburi even though you posted pictures of General Ankrah celebrating the conclusion of the talks with Ojukwu and Gowon. You didn't even state why Ojukwu declared Biafra. Politics is for adults not kids

so what should we do?

attackgat:



How come you opened this thread but you didn't even bother to make a thorough investigation of Nigerian history? Who told you that Murtala was to made head of state? Who told you that Ojukwu flew to Zambia? Why didn't you say anything about what was agreed in Aburi even though you posted pictures of General Ankrah celebrating the conclusion of the talks with Ojukwu and Gowon. You didn't even state why Ojukwu declared Biafra. Politics is for adults not kids

Enlighten us please.

People are ready to learn from your deep knowledge.

KingJB:


Enlighten us please.

People are ready to learn from your deep knowledge.

So you open a thread filled with nonsense in order to learn. Close this thread and open a thread for learners like you and you will learn

"Until Ojukwu fled to Zambia, Central Africa in 1970 and handed over to his deputy Phillip Effiong

He realized his foolishness"................. I immediately knew that the Op is block headed when I read the above. This is exactly what happens when "Mouth heads" attempt to write anything that has to do with history.

KingJB:
This brief summary is not to incite tribal war, but to allow all the foolish tribalist youths on Nairaland learn from the past. Violence only begets violence.

In war, people die, children suffer, and lands are destroyed. No matter how terrible the national situation is, war is the last thing anybody wants.

"Life and history have taught us that conflicts are never resolved without effective give and take from both sides".... MLK

Let's tolerate one another; Youths, history repeats itself. History repeats itself.

Cc lalasticlala, Dominique, seun

those who rejects a peaceful change makes violent change inevitable.