₦airaland Forum

Irony1:
The luftwaffe didn't really do the damage it was the wermacht that did it. Biafran army had airforce and they did damage at the start of the push midwest. Banjo messed up big time, any student of infantry knows that when you start warfare based on speed, it is designed to put your enemy in panic so that they abandon their positions. Mind you all war is based on deception. A case in point when the US left Saigon and the northern Vietnamese army moved south. The south Vietnamese army had more men and equipment, but they panicked and ran when they found out that the north Vietnamese army was few miles from Saigon.

You're right that the Biafran Air Force inflicted damage at the start of the Midwest offensive. However, it's important to note that it was a small force, equipped with a motley mix of antiquated aircraft obtained through clandestine channels. By October 1967, the Nigerian Air Force had established air superiority, and the Biafran Air Force was quickly overshadowed and outclassed.

Your insights about Banjo's strategic failure are not valid. I would also push back on the idea that the Luftwaffe was insignificant (Actually, the Luftwaffe did inflict significant damage throughout WWII—it wasn't just a supporting act for the Wehrmacht. It was also an instrumental component of the Blitzkrieg battle plan in its own right) , or that the Fall of Saigon was purely a panic-driven collapse without considering the massive disparity in forces. History is rarely that simple.

Irony1:
There was logistics, and mind you the Biafran army had the best logistics which was why they stayed long during the blockade. This was testified by Philip Effiong's first son. The truth was Banjo halting the advance at Benin and Ore was so costly. Banjo was incompetent and I don't blame him because he was not an infantry man and a such he had no idea of how to coordinate a military advance, it was never about honor, Please let us cut the crap here.
My annoyance with Banjo was why accept to lead the division to advance to Lagos via the midwest, if he had misgivings because the plan was clear. If you clear Nigerian army divisions from Asaba, Benin, Ore and advance to Ijebu Ode and they let the West see the importance of getting rid of the northern soldiers in their region, then you sell the appeal of Yoruba joining the Biafra cause and by the time they are few kilometers from Lagos, they have full complement of men and machines, that alone would have put Gowon on panic mode, rather his blunder of stopping at Benin and Ore ensure that the Nigerian army was first to sell the propaganda of the biafran army which made them rapidly recruit men from the Western and Middle belt regions into the army. That was why Ojukwu told him clearly "Victor what are you doing in Ore"

Let’s be real—Biafran logistics weren’t the best in the Nigerian Civil War. Weak logistics and a blockade crushed them in the end.

They lasted 30 months not because of great supply lines, but thanks to foreign support (Portugal, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Israel), guerrilla tactics, seized Nigerian army supplies, and stalemates.

Effiong’s son isn’t a credible source. I’m not saying Biafra lacked organization—but you’re mixing up two different things: holding out under blockade vs. launching a fast offensive. Not the same.

Calling Banjo incompetent is too easy. He was a Nigerian army brigadier before the war. The real issue? The Lagos advance was always a gamble. Stopping at Ore wasn’t just his call—supply lines were stretched and fuel was low. Hindsight makes any pause look dumb, but charging ahead blindly could’ve been a disaster.

Honestly, do you think the Western Region would’ve rallied to Biafra just because their troops showed up? Unlikely. They’d have seen invaders, not liberators. Gowon’s propaganda worked because that fear was real. Banjo’s halt gave the Nigerian army time, sure, but the bigger flaw was believing the West was waiting to join. They weren’t.

gidgiddy:
She never said that Adekunle ordered the execution of Abak people and they were buried in mass graves? Its possible that Biafran troops may have done somethings they shouldn't have during the war but it is no where near what the Nigerian Army did when you think of the Asaba genocide, the Utagba-Ogbe massacre etc

The Asaba massacre was horrific—no argument there. But let’s not pretend Biafran forces didn’t also slaughter civilians, including the systematic killing of ethnic minorities in the SE then who refused to join their cause, or the brutal raids on minority groups in the Midwest. War brings out the worst in everyone. Using one horror to minimize another doesn’t honor victims—it just fuels the same cycle of whataboutism that keeps old wounds open.

Irony1:
Something that cannot be substantiated can not lack merit. Also Ojukwu's push to Lagos was a tactical gamble he knew that with the killing of igbo officers the Nigerian army was short of infantry leaders so a quick advance into Lagos would send them to panic mode and force them to abandon their positions for Banjo to consolidate his hold on Lagos, even in the art of war speed is important that formed the basis of the blitzkrieg strategy used by the German Werhmacht during WW2. This made them conquer France in 2 weeks despite the fact that France had more manpower and the benefit of the colonial Tiraleurs. The politics there was clear dislodge the north from East and West. Staying put in Benin and Ore gave the Nigerian army time to reorganise and mount a counter offensive and to me that was Banjo's costly mistake.

Interesting take on the blitzkrieg parallel, but Germany had air superiority, coordinated armour, and secure supply lines—none of which Biafra had. Speed without logistics just stretches a weak army thinner. Banjo knew that pushing into Lagos was not ideal. Banjo was more honourable than Ojukwu. Either way, calling it "unsubstantiated" doesn't mean it lacks merit.

gidgiddy:
Did you miss the part where the same woman said that Adekunle ordered the summary execution of people from her own tribe?

No, I did not miss any part of her interview. The same woman's name is Rose Hogan Bassey (she joined the Nigerian army in 1968 during the civil war). She never said that Benjamin Adekunle ordered the summary execution of her tribe's people.

Our point is that the Igbo must stop playing the victims of the Nigerian civil war. The minorities whom Biafran soldiers raped, maimed, and killed have moved on. We have never heard them castigating the Igbo online or offline for the crimes committed against them. We all lost loved ones during the war.

Irony1:
Oga I can bet 100% that you never read Alabi's book. Again even the Willink's commission report which I bet you never read before stated that all the claims of marginalization were not substantiated and lacked merit.
Again Ojukwu had no expantionist agenda in fact the blunder of Victor Banjo by halting in Ore and settling the division in Benin was the problem. Note that Ojukwu asked Banjo that "what are you doing in Ore" that halting of the advance made the Nigerian army regroup and go on the counter offensive.

Let’s not reduce this to “who read what.” Debate the facts, not my library.
The Willink report didn’t say marginalization had “no merit”—it said specific claims weren’t fully substantiated at the time, and it recommended safeguards precisely because they saw potential problems. On Banjo: yes, the halt was costly, but Ojukwu’s question shows he wanted Banjo to push on, not that he lacked ambition. So we actually agree on the military mistake—just not on the politics behind it.

Irony1:
I read that write up and there were lot of holes in the dates they claimed the incidences occurred. The dates they mentioned at that time the federal army had driven the Biafran army away from that territory. Also for them to say this it lends credence to Alabi-Isama's confession in his book that the Nigeria. Army carried out false flag operations in minority areas using Biafran colors to cause hatred within the minority areas.

Before the Nigerian Civil War, Eastern minorities—such as the Ijaw, Efik, and Ibibio—felt marginalized by the Igbo-dominated government of Eastern Nigeria. Fearing political domination, they pushed for a separate state, which led to the Willink Commission’s inquiry in 1957 and growing demands for self-determination. So the Nigerian army did not make them hate the Biafran soldiers.

Regarding Alabi-Isama’s account, his book does not record any claim that the Nigerian army carried out false flag operations. However, he did admit that Biafra’s greatest blunder was the invasion of the Midwest—a region that was not part of Igbo territory. In my view, Ojukwu’s greed and expansionist ambitions were the main clandestine reasons he dragged his people into a senseless war.

A few days ago, I watched a BBC documentary on Biafra and the Nigerian Civil War. A woman from one of the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria’s South-South region described how Biafran soldiers attacked her village, burning and killing her blind grandmother. Her grandmother couldn’t escape because she was blind. That was a war crime.

Irony1:
Show me the order that Ojukwu gave to kill 19 federal soldiers. Again it is war if it is soldiers Ojukwu orderd to be killed then it is not a war crime. Again you have still not shown any documented evidence of attacks on Efik, Ibibio and Ijaw communities and how they were able to identify that these were biafran forces when they didn't even know their insignia because biafran forces were taking clothing and weapons of Nigerian army. Also it is important to note that Alabi-Isama admitted in his book that they carried out numerous false flag operations on minority areas in Biafran colours to sway opinion of minorities against Biafran army

Your demand for specific evidence is justified. The research chapter “The Forgotten Victims: Ethnic Minorities in the Nigeria-Biafra War, 1967-1970” documents Biafran persecution of the Efik, Ibibio, and Ijaw peoples, who suffered “persecution, molestation, injustice, psychological torture, and other forms of suffering.” Ojukwu’s revenge-framed order—not a war crime in isolation—signals intent to escalate violence, a contributing factor to war crimes. However, I haven’t read Alabi-Isama’s book to verify his alleged admission of false flag operations.

Irony1:
Which war crimes did Ojukwu commit? Can anyone provide clear documented evidence that Ojukwu made the order to commit these war crimes? You guys should slow down when you want to lie.

Ojukwu committed multiple war crimes: In September 1967, he had Col. Victor Banjo and three others executed by firing squad for alleged treason—though Banjo’s daughter said the first tribunal found insufficient evidence, and he (Banjo) was convicted in a second hearing he didn’t attend. In August 1967, he ordered a revenge policy, publicly telling Biafrans to “kill 10 federal soldiers for every one of their Ibo tribesmen” killed in the north. And from 1967 to 1969, Biafran forces carried out widespread violence against ethnic minorities who resisted Biafran rule, including killing over 2,000 Efiks in Calabar and targeting the Efik, Ibibio, and Ijaw.

The Igbo often present themselves as the primary victims of the Nigerian Civil War, overlooking the fact that Ojukwu committed serious war crimes. Based on the accounts I've read, most Biafran soldiers raped, maimed, and killed many people from the South-South region during the conflict.

If ants can unite and fight a poisonous snake that causes them distress, then what stops tenants from uniting and fighting a wicked landlord?

Forgiveness doesn’t require a repeat vote. You’ve shown the good and hardworking Ebonyi people your shortcomings — now they will show you (APC) the door.

All political parties in Nigeria are cut from the same cloth—none of them truly care about the welfare of Nigerians.

ThompsonJoo:
This is the saddest image you will find on the internet today

Post images of the eight people killed in Imo State today by terrorists. Fighting terrorism requires a collective effort.

Penguin2:
If you don’t know the answer to your question then I can’t help you.

Because you are either completely ignorant or deliberately being dishonest to yourself.

If you can’t answer a question without accusing me of being ignorant or dishonest. That's fine, but do not dress up your frustration as my dishonesty.

Penguin2:
One thing I have noticed about Tinubu supporters, especially most of those of his ethnic stock, is the fact that they would rather look for silly things to diffuse attention to rather than say the truth and hold government accountable.

Since the Oyo kidnapping happened, not once, I mean, not once has this people called out the government for its failures. For heaven’s sake, even in our constitution it is stated there that the primary responsibility of government is security. It is when people are secure that you will build infrastructure for them. It is a secure people that will stay alive to enjoy the benefits of a repositioned economy; since that’s the only thing Tinubu supporters have accepted he achieved.

However, rather than hold Tinubu accountable for failing on this basic task of ensuring security for his own kit and kin, his supporters are rather looking for who posted what, and who retweeted what?

And I ask… the posts you are vituperating about, are they wrong? Or you simply hate hearing the truth?

Now, to the post you people are saying it’s mockery of Oyo kidnap victims, how is it mockery because I can’t see it?

Peter Okoye simply made a post recognizing people’s right to choose their preferred candidate to vote but stated however, that everyone will be held accountable for their choices and that choices have consequences.

Now, someone responded in agreement to him and attached the pictures of the Oyo Kidnap victims plus other victims of mass slaughter by bandits as a direct consequence of the choices some people made in 2023.

Now, I ask, where is the mockery?

Is Peter Okoye wrong to state that choices have consequences?

Or the respondent who attached pictures of victims of banditry wrong to attach those photos as a direct consequence of the choices some of you made in 2023? Is it not?

We had different candidate who dwelt heavily on how he was going to end insecurity and ensure that every inch of Nigeria is accounted for but you dismissed him and went for someone who didn’t even say anything about what he would differently from the Buhari administration regarding insecurity.

Now, people are telling you that everything that has happened in this country since Tinubu was sworn in 2023 and the things happening now, are all direct consequences of the choice you made in 2023 and you dare call it mockery?

Is it mockery or you’re just too dishonest to accept the truth and make amends?

And what I find most heart wrenching is that Obembet who made that post is supposedly a MOD on this platform which is pathetic.

I will conclude with this…. In 2014, prior to the 2015 general elections, over 200 children were kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State. Tinubu, Buhari and all their lackeys championed the “Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG)” campaign against the Jonathan government until it became a global phenomenon drawing the attention of Michelle Obama and other American celebrities.

Was that act mockery of the Chibok girls or genuine outrage and desire for a change of administration to someone who could do better?

Security is government’s primary duty—no argument there. But using kidnapping victims’ photos to say 'see what your vote caused' isn’t accountability; it’s political ammunition. The same logic would’ve called BBOG a 'mockery' of Chibok girls. You can demand better without weaponizing tragedy.

What people like you don’t get is that not every Yoruba person is a fan of Tinubu or happy with the way he's running Nigeria. You said, and I quote: "We had a different candidate who really focused on how he was going to end insecurity and make sure every part of Nigeria is accounted for, but you dismissed him and went for someone who didn’t even say what he’d do differently from the Buhari administration when it comes to insecurity." So my question is—who exactly was that different candidate?

IGBOSON1:
Yet another fella with a sick and misplaced obsession! Ekiti man, are you expecting Peter Obi to still be overseeing governance in Anambra state from when he left till today? Oh, i get it!.....You're expecting him to be a greedy, meddlesome godfather like what we see playing out in Lagos!

You left your own Ekiti state that equally didn't feature on the list to be agonising over Anambra state!

You're confusing genuine scrutiny with bigotry, and honestly, that says more about you than me. You've probably never had someone you admire—like Peter Obi—that you're willing to hold accountable. I just want him to answer for what he actually left behind.

The fact that your only comeback is to point at Lagos and question my state (Ekiti) tells me you have nothing real to say about Anambra. That's not loyalty—that's just refusing to think. The discomfort you're feeling right now isn't because I'm asking tough questions about Anambra's public health system under Obi. It's the weight of your own double standard.

Ekiti didn't make that list, and that's fine—but I'm glad other Yoruba states did. We're one Yoruba people. It's a pity, though, that no state from the Southeast made the cut.

Don't dress up tribalism as logic and then act like I'm lost just because I dared to question Peter Obi's claim about reviving a comatose public health system in Anambra during his time as governor.

Just to be clear, I’m not a fan of Tinubu or the way he’s running Nigeria. I didn’t vote for him in 2023, and I won’t be voting for him in 2027 either.

Peter Obi’s state didn’t make the list. Yet he claims to have revived Anambra’s once-comatose public health system during his eight years as governor. Not a single state in southeastern Nigeria is on the list. So who’s fooling whom?

This is something other Igbo states cannot and will not allow—if a man or woman from Ebonyi State (even if their father is from Enugu, Anambra, Abia, or Imo) is running for a political office in one of those four Igbo states. My Yoruba people are liberal to a fault. Our excessive openness toward people who aren't 100% Yoruba will one day become our Achilles' heel if we don't check it.

Peter Obi is Igbo, so It's a case of fellow Igbo men mobbing a fellow Igbo man...

Owoino:
Those are Obidients not Nigerians, Nigerians don't live in South Africa.

My cousins and I said the same thing. He met Ibo people, not Nigerians.

Money Point's CEO and other companies' CEOs in Nigeria must take a cue from Elon Musk's way of recruitment.

Number 1 is worn by school girls in South Africa.

After graduating from school, the girl in blue sportswear will find herself in one of the Yoruba states—Lagos State, to be precise—and begin heavily involving herself in 'olosho'.

This award is essentially a Biafran one, so it didn't surprise me. It's an award for relentlessly attacking anything Yoruba. I keep wondering if, in a past life, her Igbo boyfriend jilted her for a Yoruba woman—because the intensity of her attacks on the Yoruba is truly baffling.

SmartPolician:
No banks or eateries will allow Lagos agberos to start invading their business premises to poo and pee.

If the government wants business owners to open up their business for agberos to poo and pee, they should open the government house for the same purpose first.

maasoap:
I just have opportunity to revisit this beautiful and educative thread today. This is not always the case with the abandoned husbands and fathers. Who doesn't wrong each other in marriage? The wife never wronged her husband throughout their marriage life? The kids never do something stupid? It is only the men who wronged their wives when they were young? Lol. You love someone, marry him and stay with him for years only for you start treating him badly when he is weak and vulnerable in old age and call it revenge for what he did 30, 40 years ago, really? What about what you did 30, 35 years ago?
There was this Christian old man in my new neighbourhood who died recently. He was practically abandoned by his wife and kids despite being a good man who was loved by his neighbours. He had health challenge, dementia. And that was it for his wife and kids, sometimes they would even beat him for doing what he couldn't help himself not doing. They even made attempt to take him to their hometown and abandon him there where there was no one to take care of him. And we called them pastor and mama Pastor

That’s a heartbreaking story, and I’m sorry that man went through that. No one—man or woman—deserves to be abandoned or mistreated in old age, especially by the very people who should be protecting them.

You’re right that wrongs can happen on both sides in a marriage. Many women spend years silently enduring neglect, infidelity, or abuse and only find the strength to leave when they’re older. Of course, there are also cases like the one you shared, where a good man is treated cruelly. Both things can be true.

The real issue isn’t gender—it’s how we treat vulnerability. Whether it’s a husband or a wife, abandoning someone who once loved you when they’re weak and sick is deeply wrong. And beating a man with dementia? That’s not “revenge” for old hurts—that’s just evil. I’m sorry your neighbour didn’t get the care and dignity he deserved.

madridguy:
Naija I hail thee everyone want to cash out

Poverty is real in Nigeria

Brendaniel:
Because some people have made it about Igbo, Igbo, Igbo,Igbo....

And yet here you are, repeating it four more times for emphasis. Obsession works both ways, doesn't it?

peterincredible:
imagine if it was an igbo king we no go hear word thank God for internet we will continue to remind u people the era of gaslighting is over 😂😂😂🤣🤣

If it were an Igbo king, you would still find a way to make it about Yoruba people. Keep ‘reminding’ us—your entitlement is louder than your logic, and the only gaslighting here is the mirror you refuse to look into.