₦airaland Forum

ThatWriterBoy:
Hello. I recently read Chigozie Obioma's The Road To The Country which is a fictional story set during the Biafran War, and I've been hooked.

I'm a young guy, born many years after the war, and I don't know much about it. I didn't do history in secondary school, and the only mention of the war was that Ojukwu wanted to separate Nigeria, but Gowon wanted Nigeria to remain one.

Could you please recommend books for me to read to understand more about this war? I have read a lot of history books sha but it's surprising I haven't read anything about my country's civil War.

If you know Dictatorland by Paul Kenyon. Or The Lumumba Plot by Stuart Reid. Or Dancing In The Glory Of Monsters by Jason someguy (I can't remember his surname). Or We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families (I've forgotten the author of this one but it was about the Rwandan Genocide), that's the style of history storytelling I like to read. If you can recommend books with similar styles, I'd appreciate you. Thank you.

ThatWriterBoy:
Hello. I recently read Chigozie Obioma's The Road To The Country which is a fictional story set during the Biafran War, and I've been hooked.

I'm a young guy, born many years after the war, and I don't know much about it. I didn't do history in secondary school, and the only mention of the war was that Ojukwu wanted to separate Nigeria, but Gowon wanted Nigeria to remain one.

Could you please recommend books for me to read to understand more about this war? I have read a lot of history books sha but it's surprising I haven't read anything about my country's civil War.

If you know Dictatorland by Paul Kenyon. Or The Lumumba Plot by Stuart Reid. Or Dancing In The Glory Of Monsters by Jason someguy (I can't remember his surname). Or We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families (I've forgotten the author of this one but it was about the Rwandan Genocide), that's the style of history storytelling I like to read. If you can recommend books with similar styles, I'd appreciate you. Thank you.

Kdon2:
Allow me to give you a brief summary of the Biafra war.
The Biafra war was a direct result of the first military coup of January 15, 1966 against the then civilian government. The civilian government was headed by a northerner tafawa balewa, with namdi azikiwe as executive president, Samuel akintola was premier (governor) southwestern region, ahmadu bello was premier northern region, michael okpara eastern region while dennis osadebay was premier Mid-Western region. The coup which was masterminded by ibo boys in army killed only northern and south west leaders sparing all ibo leaders including bamdi azikwe and micheal okpara among many major political figures of the time.

The Hausa boys in the army were enraged when ibos began to strategically manipulate the Nigeria system in order to dominate all other tribes. Then the Hausa Fulani group in the army carried out counter coup to remove the ibo man that was made the head of state after failure to address the issues raised by the northerners about the couo and the couo plotters more especially when ibos began to celebrate the death of tafawa balewa and ahmadu bello mocking their death with caricature of a goat among other diss.

Because the counter coup of July 1966 had many ibos slaughtered including the then military head of state aguyi ironsi, odimegwu ojukwu went to war to pull eastern Nigeria out of the Nigeria merger, since tge condition for peace demanded by him was not met by the government of yakubu Gowon which was installed by the aggrieved northern army boys behind the second coup.

This is the summary of how the Biafra war started. It however ended badly for the ojukwu Biafran side when they began advancing and Overunning Yoruba land of ore and moving towards Lagos because Yorubas that had chosen to be neutral were forced into the fight between hausa/Fulani army boys and ibos army boys with the threat on Yoruba land. Awolowo joined the yakubu Gowon federal government to clip the wing of the ibo guys. End of war!

Kdon2:
Allow me to give you a brief summary of the Biafra war.
The Biafra war was a direct result of the first military coup of January 15, 1966 against the then civilian government. The civilian government was headed by a northerner tafawa balewa, with namdi azikiwe as executive president, Samuel akintola was premier (governor) southwestern region, ahmadu bello was premier northern region, michael okpara eastern region while dennis osadebay was premier Mid-Western region. The coup which was masterminded by ibo boys in army killed only northern and south west leaders sparing all ibo leaders including bamdi azikwe and micheal okpara among many major political figures of the time.

The Hausa boys in the army were enraged when ibos began to strategically manipulate the Nigeria system in order to dominate all other tribes. Then the Hausa Fulani group in the army carried out counter coup to remove the ibo man that was made the head of state after failure to address the issues raised by the northerners about the couo and the couo plotters more especially when ibos began to celebrate the death of tafawa balewa and ahmadu bello mocking their death with caricature of a goat among other diss.

Because the counter coup of July 1966 had many ibos slaughtered including the then military head of state aguyi ironsi, odimegwu ojukwu went to war to pull eastern Nigeria out of the Nigeria merger, since tge condition for peace demanded by him was not met by the government of yakubu Gowon which was installed by the aggrieved northern army boys behind the second coup.

This is the summary of how the Biafra war started. It however ended badly for the ojukwu Biafran side when they began advancing and Overunning Yoruba land of ore and moving towards Lagos because Yorubas that had chosen to be neutral were forced into the fight between hausa/Fulani army boys and ibos army boys with the threat on Yoruba land. Awolowo joined the yakubu Gowon federal government to clip the wing of the ibo guys. End of war!

illicit:
The man died - Wole Soyinka

Why we struck - Ademoyega

Ben Gbulie wrote a book too ( Maybe the 5 Majors)

There was a country - Chinua Achebe

Joe Achuzia (Hannibal) wrote a book too, can't remember the title...


The Biafran Testament - Can't remember Author

There is a book by Forsyth, a British Journalist as well

A lot of others I can't remember now
To fully understand the Biafran war, you have to start reading from the first military coup of 1966

illicit:
The man died - Wole Soyinka

Why we struck - Ademoyega

Ben Gbulie wrote a book too ( Maybe the 5 Majors)

There was a country - Chinua Achebe

Joe Achuzia (Hannibal) wrote a book too, can't remember the title...


The Biafran Testament - Can't remember Author

There is a book by Forsyth, a British Journalist as well

A lot of others I can't remember now
To fully understand the Biafran war, you have to start reading from the first military coup of 1966

OkCornel:
Could you help me with an e-copy of The Lumumba plot?

Thanks

kettykings:
During the civil war, the ineffectual and cowardly Nigerian forces, lacking both strategic vision and military prowess, resorted to tactics of desperation: blockades, mass starvation, and the wholesale destruction of farms. Their aim? To break the indomitable spirit of the Biafran people—a more versatile and resilient adversary whose defiance burned .

Outnumbered, outgunned, and hemmed in by blockades, the warriors of Biafra stood unshaken. The 3rd Marine Division of Nigeria, a once-proud force, was obliterated by over 90%. The mighty 1st Division was brought to its knees, reduced by half, and the so-called 2nd Division of the Nigerian military was annihilated not once, not twice, but thrice. Their general, disgraced and defeated, fled into exile—a fugitive until the war’s bitter end.

The scars of Biafra’s vengeance still fester in the ranks of Nigeria's former leaders. Some bear physical wounds that never healed; others remain prisoners of nightmares, their minds shattered by the horrors inflicted by and upon them. The weight of their failure hangs heavy, as they cling precariously to life, tormented by memories of a foe they could not conquer.

Were it not for the treacherous interference of Britain, Egypt, and the Soviet Union, who armed and sustained Nigeria’s dying cause, history would have consigned that hapless entity to oblivion. Nigeria would have crumbled into dust and ridicule, its name spoken only in mockery as the greatest humiliation of the 20th century.


Nigeria might never be this lucky again, not even
The Ukrainian military has been able to achieve 1% of what Biafra military achieved in tge battle field and laboratories.

During the war for survival and sovereignty, Biafran ingenuity rewrote the rules of science and warfare under the direst conditions. Long before the world embraced the concept of modular refineries, Biafran scientists designed and operated mobile refineries, producing essential fuel to power our resistance. We pioneered the conversion of palm oil into usable fuel—a groundbreaking achievement realized under wartime duress. Decades later, the world took notice, with Indonesia heralding a similar innovation 50 years after Biafra had already mastered it.

In the realm of defense, Biafra gave birth to the Ogbunigwe, a weapon of devastating precision that humbled the Nigerian military. This indigenous creation tamed their advancing forces, showcasing the brilliance of Biafran innovation. Decades later, the United States would achieve a comparable feat with the Javelin missile against Russian forces, but it was Biafra that first demonstrated how ingenuity could level the playing field against a superior force.

These accomplishments were not merely acts of survival but milestones in human innovation, achieved against all odds and under relentless siege.

Igbo scholars and historians are not telling the Biafran story.

Had the objectives of Biafra been realized, we would have witnessed the emergence of a technologically advanced, self-reliant African nation, pioneering innovations in energy, defense, and industrial development while serving as a beacon of resilience, unity, and progress across the continent.

illicit:
The man died - Wole Soyinka

Why we struck - Ademoyega

Ben Gbulie wrote a book too ( Maybe the 5 Majors)

There was a country - Chinua Achebe

Joe Achuzia (Hannibal) wrote a book too, can't remember the title...


The Biafran Testament - Can't remember Author

There is a book by Forsyth, a British Journalist as well

A lot of others I can't remember now
To fully understand the Biafran war, you have to start reading from the first military coup of 1966

T9ksy:
Op, the above recommendations are all one sided stories from the biafranns' perspective. These ones will not provide you with a full and uunbiased account of the nigerian civil war.

illicit:
That's not true

U can see up there, Soyinkas prison memoir, Ademoyega's writ, Frederick Forsyth...

Are they Biafrians?

kettykings:
During the civil war, the ineffectual and cowardly Nigerian forces, lacking both strategic vision and military prowess, resorted to tactics of desperation: blockades, mass starvation, and the wholesale destruction of farms. Their aim? To break the indomitable spirit of the Biafran people—a more versatile and resilient adversary whose defiance burned .

Outnumbered, outgunned, and hemmed in by blockades, the warriors of Biafra stood unshaken. The 3rd Marine Division of Nigeria, a once-proud force, was obliterated by over 90%. The mighty 1st Division was brought to its knees, reduced by half, and the so-called 2nd Division of the Nigerian military was annihilated not once, not twice, but thrice. Their general, disgraced and defeated, fled into exile—a fugitive until the war’s bitter end.

The scars of Biafra’s vengeance still fester in the ranks of Nigeria's former leaders. Some bear physical wounds that never healed; others remain prisoners of nightmares, their minds shattered by the horrors inflicted by and upon them. The weight of their failure hangs heavy, as they cling precariously to life, tormented by memories of a foe they could not conquer.

Were it not for the treacherous interference of Britain, Egypt, and the Soviet Union, who armed and sustained Nigeria’s dying cause, history would have consigned that hapless entity to oblivion. Nigeria would have crumbled into dust and ridicule, its name spoken only in mockery as the greatest humiliation of the 20th century.


Nigeria might never be this lucky again, not even
The Ukrainian military has been able to achieve 1% of what Biafra military achieved in tge battle field and laboratories.

During the war for survival and sovereignty, Biafran ingenuity rewrote the rules of science and warfare under the direst conditions. Long before the world embraced the concept of modular refineries, Biafran scientists designed and operated mobile refineries, producing essential fuel to power our resistance. We pioneered the conversion of palm oil into usable fuel—a groundbreaking achievement realized under wartime duress. Decades later, the world took notice, with Indonesia heralding a similar innovation 50 years after Biafra had already mastered it.

In the realm of defense, Biafra gave birth to the Ogbunigwe, a weapon of devastating precision that humbled the Nigerian military. This indigenous creation tamed their advancing forces, showcasing the brilliance of Biafran innovation. Decades later, the United States would achieve a comparable feat with the Javelin missile against Russian forces, but it was Biafra that first demonstrated how ingenuity could level the playing field against a superior force.

These accomplishments were not merely acts of survival but milestones in human innovation, achieved against all odds and under relentless siege.

Igbo scholars and historians are not telling the Biafran story.

Had the objectives of Biafra been realized, we would have witnessed the emergence of a technologically advanced, self-reliant African nation, pioneering innovations in energy, defense, and industrial development while serving as a beacon of resilience, unity, and progress across the continent.

T9ksy:
No, they are not biafrans however their submissions were from the biafrans' perspective.

illicit:
Well, I can see why you said that about Ademoyega and Forsyth, they were in Biafra

But Soyinka was a third party, his experience was personal, unique...

He was not at the front, he was in prison most of the war, his account of the coup, the A raba and other events and how the war began is very reliable

T9ksy:
Op, the above recommendations are all one sided stories from the biafranns' perspective. These ones will not provide you with a full and uunbiased account of the nigerian civil war.

T9ksy:
Geez! What a load of hogwash!!! It remains small, you would have concluded your bladderdash with how the indomitable biafrans later won the war.

Dem take hollow chest-beatings swear for you, ni?

T9ksy:
Geez! What a load of hogwash!!! It remains small, you would have concluded your bladderdash with how the indomitable biafrans later won the war.

Dem take hollow chest-beatings swear for you, ni?

Kdon2:
Allow me to give you a brief summary of the Biafra war.
The Biafra war was a direct result of the first military coup of January 15, 1966 against the then civilian government. The civilian government was headed by a northerner tafawa balewa, with namdi azikiwe as executive president, Samuel akintola was premier (governor) southwestern region, ahmadu bello was premier northern region, michael okpara eastern region while dennis osadebay was premier Mid-Western region. The coup which was masterminded by ibo boys in army killed only northern and south west leaders sparing all ibo leaders including bamdi azikwe and micheal okpara among many major political figures of the time.

The Hausa boys in the army were enraged when ibos began to strategically manipulate the Nigeria system in order to dominate all other tribes. Then the Hausa Fulani group in the army carried out counter coup to remove the ibo man that was made the head of state after failure to address the issues raised by the northerners about the couo and the couo plotters more especially when ibos began to celebrate the death of tafawa balewa and ahmadu bello mocking their death with caricature of a goat among other diss.

Because the counter coup of July 1966 had many ibos slaughtered including the then military head of state aguyi ironsi, odimegwu ojukwu went to war to pull eastern Nigeria out of the Nigeria merger, since tge condition for peace demanded by him was not met by the government of yakubu Gowon which was installed by the aggrieved northern army boys behind the second coup.

This is the summary of how the Biafra war started. It however ended badly for the ojukwu Biafran side when they began advancing and Overunning Yoruba land of ore and moving towards Lagos because Yorubas that had chosen to be neutral were forced into the fight between hausa/Fulani army boys and ibos army boys with the threat on Yoruba land. Awolowo joined the yakubu Gowon federal government to clip the wing of the ibo guys. End of war!

chrisxxx:
There would have been another war in Biafra. The South South component of Biafra would have longed asked for independence.

Kdon2:
Allow me to give you a brief summary of the Biafra war.
The Biafra war was a direct result of the first military coup of January 15, 1966 against the then civilian government. The civilian government was headed by a northerner tafawa balewa, with namdi azikiwe as executive president, Samuel akintola was premier (governor) southwestern region, ahmadu bello was premier northern region, michael okpara eastern region while dennis osadebay was premier Mid-Western region. The coup which was masterminded by ibo boys in army killed only northern and south west leaders sparing all ibo leaders including bamdi azikwe and micheal okpara among many major political figures of the time.

The Hausa boys in the army were enraged when ibos began to strategically manipulate the Nigeria system in order to dominate all other tribes. Then the Hausa Fulani group in the army carried out counter coup to remove the ibo man that was made the head of state after failure to address the issues raised by the northerners about the couo and the couo plotters more especially when ibos began to celebrate the death of tafawa balewa and ahmadu bello mocking their death with caricature of a goat among other diss.

Because the counter coup of July 1966 had many ibos slaughtered including the then military head of state aguyi ironsi, odimegwu ojukwu went to war to pull eastern Nigeria out of the Nigeria merger, since tge condition for peace demanded by him was not met by the government of yakubu Gowon which was installed by the aggrieved northern army boys behind the second coup.

This is the summary of how the Biafra war started. It however ended badly for the ojukwu Biafran side when they began advancing and Overunning Yoruba land of ore and moving towards Lagos because Yorubas that had chosen to be neutral were forced into the fight between hausa/Fulani army boys and ibos army boys with the threat on Yoruba land. Awolowo joined the yakubu Gowon federal government to clip the wing of the ibo guys. End of war!

kettykings:
During the civil war, the ineffectual and cowardly Nigerian forces, lacking both strategic vision and military prowess, resorted to tactics of desperation: blockades, mass starvation, and the wholesale destruction of farms. Their aim? To break the indomitable spirit of the Biafran people—a more versatile and resilient adversary whose defiance burned .

Outnumbered, outgunned, and hemmed in by blockades, the warriors of Biafra stood unshaken. The 3rd Marine Division of Nigeria, a once-proud force, was obliterated by over 90%. The mighty 1st Division was brought to its knees, reduced by half, and the so-called 2nd Division of the Nigerian military was annihilated not once, not twice, but thrice. Their general, disgraced and defeated, fled into exile—a fugitive until the war’s bitter end.

The scars of Biafra’s vengeance still fester in the ranks of Nigeria's former leaders. Some bear physical wounds that never healed; others remain prisoners of nightmares, their minds shattered by the horrors inflicted by and upon them. The weight of their failure hangs heavy, as they cling precariously to life, tormented by memories of a foe they could not conquer.

Were it not for the treacherous interference of Britain, Egypt, and the Soviet Union, who armed and sustained Nigeria’s dying cause, history would have consigned that hapless entity to oblivion. Nigeria would have crumbled into dust and ridicule, its name spoken only in mockery as the greatest humiliation of the 20th century.


Nigeria might never be this lucky again, not even
The Ukrainian military has been able to achieve 1% of what Biafra military achieved in tge battle field and laboratories.

During the war for survival and sovereignty, Biafran ingenuity rewrote the rules of science and warfare under the direst conditions. Long before the world embraced the concept of modular refineries, Biafran scientists designed and operated mobile refineries, producing essential fuel to power our resistance. We pioneered the conversion of palm oil into usable fuel—a groundbreaking achievement realized under wartime duress. Decades later, the world took notice, with Indonesia heralding a similar innovation 50 years after Biafra had already mastered it.

In the realm of defense, Biafra gave birth to the Ogbunigwe, a weapon of devastating precision that humbled the Nigerian military. This indigenous creation tamed their advancing forces, showcasing the brilliance of Biafran innovation. Decades later, the United States would achieve a comparable feat with the Javelin missile against Russian forces, but it was Biafra that first demonstrated how ingenuity could level the playing field against a superior force.

These accomplishments were not merely acts of survival but milestones in human innovation, achieved against all odds and under relentless siege.

Igbo scholars and historians are not telling the Biafran story.

Had the objectives of Biafra been realized, we would have witnessed the emergence of a technologically advanced, self-reliant African nation, pioneering innovations in energy, defense, and industrial development while serving as a beacon of resilience, unity, and progress across the continent.

Sharpsharp00123:
the lies your forefathers told u to safe face from their disgrace

If not for Nigerians army benevolence u Igbos could have been exterminated

To the op, I would like to recommend an unbias book to u, I think it was written by prof inibong something I will check

He experienced d war n gave an unbias account, the Igbos were d aggressors n they got their fingers burnt for it

The humiliated the people of south south n when d war ended those people saw the backbone of d Igbos have been broken n they declared their properties "abandoned properties" to take revenge n also the Igbos used their resources for collateral to get arms n funding for d war without their consent