PaChukwudi44:
God punish the stupid and evil Murtala Mohammed.He supervised the worst incidence of war crimes carried out on Nigerian soil.

Roast in Hell Gen Murtala Mohammed
Roast in hell the butcher of Asaba.
God bless Lt Col BS Dimka

Also Ibrahim Taiwo to a lesser extent

Politics / Revisiting The Asaba Massacre--- Vanguard by KingsleyJohn: 9:07am On Oct 29, 2016

“I looked around and I saw machine guns all around us. Some of them were also carrying automatic rifles. One of them shouted an order, and they started shooting.”

With these chilling words, Ify Uraih describes how the massacre of hundreds of innocent civilians began in asaba more than 40 years ago. Here we document how this terrible event unfolded, why it is important, and why the people of asaba now demand recognition. It started on October 4, 1967, when Nigerian federal troops entered asaba, the Niger River town that was then part of Nigeria’s Midwest Region. the war over the secession of the predominantly-Igbo Eastern Region, renamed Biafra, had broken out in July; in August, the Biafran army had advanced across the Niger Bridge and progressed through the Midwest, headed for Lagos. Federal troops counter-attacked, pushing the Biafrans back across the Niger at asaba. the Biafrans blew up the Onitsha end of the bridge, leaving the Federal Second Division, commanded by Col. Murtala Muhammed, on the asaba side. asaba, although ethnically related to the Eastern Igbo, remained part of Nigeria, and supported the government’s ideal of a multi-ethnic “One Nigeria.” As Wole Soyinka wrote in 1972, the Midwestern Igbo, caught between their desire to remain part of the federation and their identity with Eastern cousins, became “the most vulnerable Nigerians.” asaba had a long tradition of high education, producing a disproportionate number of professionals and high-ranking civil servants, who had contributed to a sense of allegiance to a united Nigeria, and trust that Federal troops would behave appropriately. Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, had issued a military Code of Conduct, so when troops arrived, the townsfolk were unprepared for what followed.

Soldiers occupied the town, and began killing civilians (mainly boys and young men) accused of Biafran collaboration... “we got to the police station and there was a huge crowd. And then they would come around and they would say do you know Mr. X, Mr. B, and do you know his house? They had names they wanted to kill. And once in a while they’d pick someone from the crowd, go to the back and you hear gunshots. And the crowd would wail.” Patience Chukwura, a young mother expecting her fourth child, saw her husband Eddie gunned down near the police station, along with his brother, Christian: “That made me hysterical. I held onto the soldier and said, ‘Why did you kill my husband?’ the man, with the butt of the gun, hit me on the chest and said, ‘woman, if you’re not careful, you’ll get killed as well.’ We feared they were going to wipe out everybody in asaba, especially male children.” Troops invaded homes, demanding money, executing men and boys, and abducting women, often before setting the houses ablaze. the streets were littered with corpses. Patrick Okonkwo recalled that his compound was crowded with extended family members, when soldiers entered and shot his two brothers, a cousin, and two other relatives. His father buried them in shallow graves in the compound. On October 7, in hopes of avoiding more violence, asaba leaders summoned everyone to gather to show support to the troops by making a pledge to One Nigeria. Hundreds of men, women, and children assembled, dancing and singing. According to survivors, as the parade reached a major junction, troops removed women and young children, and directed men and boys into an open area.

s the crowd began to realize what might be happening, panic grew, as Peter Okonjo explained: “Women who came with their sons were removing their skirts and blouses to disguise them. And I looked at the whole place, there is nowhere to escape.” Ify Uraih was 13 years old, and had joined the parade with his brothers and father. He described how the officer in charge, identified by several witnesses as Ibrahim Taiwo, gave the order to open fire, and the massacre began: “Some people broke loose and tried to run away. They shot my brother in the back. the rest of us just fell down on top of each other. And they continued shooting, and shooting, and shooting. I don’t know how long it took; after some time there was silence.” Hundreds died; survivors report climbing from among heaps of bodies when the soldiers finally left hours later. Ify Uraih survived, but his father, Robert, and brothers Emma and Paul were dead. His brother Medua was shot multiple times, but survived. Between 500 and 800 were murdered, in addition to many from previous days, and many people fled the town. Although there is no firm death count, our research suggests that more than 1,000 died at the hands of the troops during October. Most were buried in mass graves, without observing requisite practices, and the town was destroyed, with most of the houses looted and burned. the long-term impacts of these tragic events were profound; many extended families lost multiple breadwinners, and the town’s leadership was decimated. Survivor accounts and reports by relief agencies show that asaba remained in dire straits until the war’s end, most inhabitants having fled or subsisting in refugee camps. Soldiers assaulted and abducted women and girls with impunity. the destruction was so complete that asaba disappeared from the official roll of Nigerian towns in 1969. the atrocities at asaba remained virtually absent from the published record, and have largely remained unacknowledged.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/revisiting-1967-asaba-massacre/

gwarotango:
Actually I am 'trueing' until you provide evidence of such a genocide taking place

So what do u call the above write-up from Vanguard? They called it massacre, are they lying

manmen:
Waste of time Unfortunately cownu want another one

Says a filthy muslim

And thanks to God of the Igbo race, and of course the sheer resilience of the Igbo man... Asaba is a thriving city/enclave today, infact far better in development at all levels than most Nigerian cities today. But man, the more I read about the massacre of my people by those subhumans who invaded our peace and desecrated our sanctity... the more I have reasons to hate that accursed nation called Nigeria and its people outside of my Anioma/Igbo stock. The day of vengeance will surely come... maybe not in my lifetime, but the next generation to come will learn of the blood that was shed in Asaba on October 7,1967...I thank God Nigeria is in one form or another paying for its sins... and of course my joy knows no bounds and restitution knowing that the bas.tards who masterminded the unprecedented heartless killing of my people (Murtala, and that Yoruba muslim pig called Taiwo), were wasted by the bullets and died like the dogs they were on the streets. God bless the great people of Asaba, God bless the unstoppable Igbo nation.

Odingo1:

You are still lying, what make Cameroon to have better control of Bakkassi is because Gowon and Awolowo gave it to Cameroon so that they can block food supplies heading to Biafra. Cameroon troops occupy Bakassi till date.

I am trueing and thee bakassi issue has been thrashed here on nairaland long before you became a member

gidgiddy:


That makes it worse because it means that Nigerian Soldiers went to Asaba, a territory of Nigeria, and murdered Nigerians in cold blood

Of course, we all know the Nigerian Army did this because Asaba is an Igbo city


May God punish the Soul of Murtala Mohammed

Those people who got shot were either enemy combatants or sympathisers. When the Nigerian army liberated Enugu and other ibo towns, no such incidents were recorded

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TSRC:
Unfortunately, KANU the fool is trying to put innocent lives at risk again.

By demanding for referendum ? how is demanding for referendum puting innocent lives at risk?? Even back then in 1967 ojokwu didn't call for war against Nigeria it was Nigeria that declared war on biafrans

Tolexander:
Men were lined up and killed during the massacre

And nobody was prosecuted in ICC? I think biafrans fought against rest of the world.

TSRC:
Unfortunately, KANU the fool is trying to put innocent lives at risk again.

Not really, Kanu wants referendum. It's your Nigerian Government that is foolish by shooting unarmed people agitating for a democratic instrument of a referendum

Tundeobama:
Where to get get cheapest quality pant trousers in Nigeria check my profile and dm we sell at affordable price

how much?

Sad.This was obviously a war crime.Too much innocent blood has been shed in this country.

gwarotango:
Those people who got shot were either enemy combatants or sympathisers. When the Nigerian army liberated Enugu and other ibo towns, no such incidents were recorded

Really? Is that how low your intelligence is? So the Nigerian Army go to Asaba, capture the city, there is no more fighting or shooting. They line up hundreds of people, Asaba indigenes and shoot them dead.

Do you know that is a war crime? To kill a person, whether an enemy combatant or sympathiser, after capture, is not only a war crime, it is murder.

But what do you expect from a Nigerian with low reasoning ability

gidgiddy:


Really? Is that how low your intelligence is? So the Nigerian Army go to Asaba, capture the city, there is no more fighting or shooting. They line up hundreds of people, Asaba indigenes and shoot them dead.

Do you know that is a war crime? To kill a person, whether an enemy combatant or sympathiser, after capture, is not only a war crime, it is murder.

But what do you expect from a Nigerian with low reasoning ability

Those asaba people who were shot can legally be classified as enemy combatants since they aided the Biafran army to invade Nigerian territory. No war crime there.

expert234:
Igbos are holding their own, but Yorubas seem to be happy being slaves to fulanis. They are ready to throw Gani Adams under the bus for daring to set them free from slavery.

The mentality of most Yorubas is that of a slave.

Too bad.

Why did this comment get any likes?

We in Ahaba are commemorating a heinous action by the Nigerian Government (via the Army) against it's own people. A war crime against citizens for which the perpetrators have never been brought to justice, nor for which the commanders have shown any remorse. Why drag other matters into this solemn occasion? Let us condole each other without such divisive statements.

expert234:
Igbos are holding their own, but Yorubas seem to be happy being slaves to fulanis. They are ready to throw Gani Adams under the bus for daring to set them free from slavery.

The mentality of most Yorubas is that of a slave.

Too bad.

What concerns Yoruba again with a memorial of civil war casualties. Can't you guys do your own thing without mentioning Yorubas or Fulanis?
You guys need to exorcise the Yoruba and Fulani demons tormenting you day and night.

immhotep:

Biafra amaka.

Cc lzaa

Gwarotango right now

We remember the Asaba massacre...The 2nd batallion of Murtala Mohammed. Even during the Oputa Panel hearings, Ibrahim Haruna refused to apologise for his deeds. We remember the injustices of the civil war all over Biafra land. No body should tell us how to mourn our departed loved ones. God bless the dead.

gwarotango:
Those asaba people who were shot can legally be classified as enemy combatants since they aided the Biafran army to invade Nigerian territory. No war crime there.

1. Even enemy combatants (soldiers) who once bore arms, but are not currently holding them, are to be treated under the Geneva convention POW agreement. It's a war crime to massacre belligerents who have either surrendered or pose no threat.

2. The fact remains that these people were innocent citizens whose government (Nigeria) failed to protect them from the invading Biafrans. Yes there were Biafra sympathizers, but to use that an an excuse to mow down 500 civilian men and boys, is weak at best, and would not stand in a court.

3. It is not up to civilians to aid or restrict combatants... that's what an army is for; the invasion is something Nigerian Army Intelligence should have foreseen and prevented.

4. The painful reality is that neither Nigeria nor Biafra gave two shits about the people of Anioma (and Edo); they merely used them when convenient and abandoned them when not convenient; then the other side retributed. As far as the Nigerians from North and West were concerned, it didn't matter if you were from Asaba... you spoke Igbo and so qualified to be killed in the progrom (or massacred by a vengeful army). To the Biafrans, it didn't matter that you insisted you were Nigerian, you spoke Igbo and so are part of Biafra automatically. That is until they retreeted and abandoned the people they once called brother.

To wit: "The Geneva Conventions are rules that apply only in times of armed conflict and seek to protect people who are not or are no longer taking part in hostilities; these include the sick and wounded of armed forces on the field, wounded, sick, and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea, prisoners of war, and civilians."

Also please notice: Biafra never included Asaba... it was invaded by Biafra. Conversely Biafra included Onitsha and Enugu, which were never "invaded by Biafra". That should tell you where was, and where was not, considered Biafra.

nextstep:


1. Even enemy combatants (soldiers) who once bore arms, but are not currently holding them, are to be treated under the Geneva convention POW agreement. It's a war crime to massacre belligerents who have either surrendered or pose no threat.

2. The fact remains that these people were innocent citizens whose government (Nigeria) failed to protect them from the invading Biafrans. Yes there were Biafra sympathizers, but to use that an an excuse to mow down 500 civilian men and boys, is weak at best, and would not stand in a court.

3. It is not up to civilians to aid or restrict combatants... that's what an army is for, and the invasion is something Nigerian Army Intelligence should have foreseen and prevented.

4. The painful reality is that neither Nigeria nor Biafra gave two shits about the people of Anioma (and Ego), and merely used them when convenient, and abandoned them when not convenient; then the other side retributed.

To wit: "The Geneva Conventions are rules that apply only in times of armed conflict and seek to protect people who are not or are no longer taking part in hostilities; these include the sick and wounded of armed forces on the field, wounded, sick, and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea, prisoners of war, and civilians."

on point one that you raised, they were considered as enemy combatants for contravening the Geneva convention itself by covertly supporting the Biafran army behind Nigerian lines

wirinet:

What concerns Yoruba again with a memorial of civil war casualties. Can't you guys do your own thing without mentioning Yorubas or Fulanis?
You guys need to exorcise the Yoruba and Fulani demons tormenting you day and night.

You just proved it right now that you are a willing fulani slave

gwarotango:
on point one that you raised, they were considered as enemy combatants for contravening the Geneva convention itself by covertly supporting the Biafran army behind Nigerian lines

This alleged covert support is a typically Nigerian response by authorities. We arrest, blame, and prosecute people without proper investigation: there is no documented proof or reports that Asaba citizens provided support that warranted wanton execution of civilians.

Asaba itself was invaded during the drive to capture Mid-West and on to Lagos.

What is documented is: "On October 7, 1967, citizens of Asaba were forced to leave their homes and attend a public dance in Asaba. When the civilians arrived in downtown Asaba they were massacred by the 2nd Division, under the supervision of Lt.Colonel Murtala Mohammed, in retaliation for the assassination of Ahmadu Bello at the hands of Kaduna Nzeogwu one year earlier, this massacre became known as the Asaba massacre."

This theme of revenge has been repeated in multiple articles about the massacre, and is a more likely explanation that the unfounded allegations of collusions. Even if I was to concede to you that Asaba "colluded with the enemy" (which I strenuously don't agree), once hostilities ceased, it was illegal for armed soldiers to gun down unarmed civilians, and in most places the commanders in charge would have been convicted of war crimes.

nextstep:


Why did this comment get any likes?

We in Ahaba are commemorating a heinous action by the Nigerian Government (via the Army) against it's own people. A war crime against citizens for which the perpetrators have never been brought to justice, nor for which the commanders have shown any remorse. Why drag other matters into this solemn occasion? Let us condole each other without such divisive statements.

Lol. This my comment is not what will cause division in Nigeria.

While you blame the Nigerian army for committing a masacre in Asaba, may I also remind you that the biafran army had earlier committed the same crime after they bursted through the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge? Yes, your igbo brothers at the Asaba end of the bridge opened the gate for their igbo brothers from the other side of the Niger. No time to go into more details

Yes, the biafran army committed series of atrocities, like murder and rape. They even robbed the Central Bank at Benin. So, biafra is not without fault in the matter. In fact, what you are commemorating today is more or less an equal and opposite reaction to an earlier gruesome action by the biafran army.

expert234:


You just proved it right now that you are a willing fulani slave

I really feel sorry for you guys. You guys need serious psychiatric help. You see fulanis and Yorubas in your dreams and waking hours 24 hours a day. You cannot take any action without bringing in Yorubas and Fulanis.

It seems the main purpose the memorial is being organised to antagonise the Yorubas and Fulanis, instead of the actual pains of the loss.

Sad day!

expert234:


Lol. This my comment is not what will cause division in Nigeria.

While you blame the Nigerian army for committing a masacre in Asaba, may I also remind you that the biafran army had earlier committed the same crime after they bursted through the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge? Yes, your igbo brothers at the Asaba end of the bridge opened the gate for their igbo brothers from the other side of the Niger. No time to go into more details

Yes, the biafran army committed series of atrocities, like murder and rape. They even robbed the Central Bank at Benin. So, biafra is not without fault in the matter. In fact, what you are commemorating today is more or less an equal and opposite reaction to an earlier gruesome action by the biafran army.

Yes, we are commemorating the atrocities of the war committed by all belligerents. However, what has that to do with your original comments about puppets and masters? I just didn't see the connection, nor the reason for the comment in this topic.

But this notion of "opened the gate"...
1. was there a gate?
2. why wasn't it guarded by Nigerian army?
3. why leave such a strategic position open or in the hands of civilians?

I feel that's a lazy excuse in the search for who to blame... and I suspect anybody who was in the path of Biafra<->Nigeria was going to get mowed down, regardless of the actual truth.

wirinet:

I really feel sorry for you guys. You guys need serious psychiatric help. You see fulanis and Yorubas in your dreams and waking hours 24 hours a day. You cannot take any action without bringing in Yorubas and Fulanis.

It seems the main purpose of the memorial is being organised to antagonise the Yorubas and Fulanis, instead of the actual pains of the loss.

Stop ranting and just accept that you are a fulani slave.

Education is designed to free people from mental slavery, but it looks like your own education immerses you deeper into mental slavery. And to think you are even a slave to people who are less educated than you!

What does that make out of you? A Useful Idiot? Just an innocent question.

nextstep:


Yes, we are commemorating the atrocities of the war committed by all belligerents. However, what has that to do with your original comments about puppets and masters? I just didn't see the connection, nor the reason for the comment in this topic.

Because you didn't see the link doesn't negate the link. Those who see the link see it. I won't bore you with explanation