Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre - Politics

Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Politics › Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre (468 Views)

Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by gidgiddy(op): 12:22am On Oct 05, 2025

The Asaba massacre was one of the tragic events of the Biafran war. It occurred between 5th and seventh of October 1967 when the Second division of the Nigerian Army, commanded by Lt Colonel Murtala Mohammed, captured the city and massacred over one thousand civilians, men and women. What makes this tragedy even worse is that the same Murtala Mohammed was later honoured by having Airports, Highways named after him. He was even put on the N20 Naira note.

During the Civil war, the Biafran Army invaded the Midwest Region, captured it, and declared it an independent country called "Midwest Republic". The Biafran Army were later pushed back by the second division led Murtala Mohammed. They were pushed back all the way to Asaba. The Biafran Army crossed the River Niger bridge, and blew up the Bridge behind them to stop the advance of Nigerian Army

When the Nigerian Army got to Asaba, they engaged in 3 days of relentless killing of Asaba people. Asaba was not even part of Biafra although it was an Igbo town. Today, a monument stands for all the Asaba people murdered in that senseless massacre

But karma has a way of paying back. With the Niger bridge blown up, Murtala Mohammed and his deputy, Major Taiwo, attempted to cross the River Niger twice to get into Onitsha , but met heavy losses. Murtala Mohammed then took what was left of his second division, went upland, crossed the River Niger and attempted to capture Onitsha, but were destroyed at Abagana by the Biafran forces. After that, Murtala Mohammed was removed from the war oprations

Almost 10 years later in 1976, Murtala Mohammed, who was then Military Head Of State, and Colonel Taiwo, who was then Military Governor of Kwara State, were both gunned down on the same day during the 'Dimka Coup'

Both men who led the Asaba massacre were no more

To this day, the 5 communities that make up Asaba, Umueze, Umuagu, Umuaji, Umuonaje and Ugbomanta, still mourn their sons and daughters that were tragically massacred

May the souls of all those who fell victim to the Asaba Massacre Rest in peace.

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Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by correctyourself(m): 1:26am On Oct 05, 2025

From this report, briafa who first invaded Asaba brought problems to them, and when the Nigeria troops came came briafa didn't wait and defend, rather, they went back to original land.

All these happened just because of one person's greediness and hungry for power . Unfortunately, some people continue fighting on what happens when they were not born

Same thing is still happening till today lin country like Cameroon

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Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by chiagozien(m): 5:25am On Oct 05, 2025

What Yorubas and Hausafulanis did to south south people during the war was so so terrible.

Many of them still deny Igbo after doing that to survive Yoruba and Hausafulanis massacre in 1966 to 1970.

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Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by chiagozien(m): 5:27am On Oct 05, 2025

correctyourself:
From this report, briafa who first invaded Asaba brought problems to them, and when the Nigeria troops came came briafa didn't wait and defend, rather, they went back to original land.

All these happened just because of one person's greediness and hungry for power . Unfortunately, some people continue fighting on what happens when they were not born

Same thing is still happening till today lin country like Cameroon

This one lying and changing narrative just to justify killing south south people cool

2 Likes

Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by correctyourself(m): 7:51am On Oct 05, 2025

chiagozien:
This one lying and changing narrative just to justify killing south south people

What's difficult for you to comprehend here, I responded to the topic I.

When Former President Jonathan lost election even though it was obvious things were done wrong, he still decided to leave power. He would have stopped the election, but because of people who may lost their lives, he stepped down.

In the case of Ojukwu Briafa, here preferred people fight and die to enable him rule.

3 Likes

Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by Brendaniel: 8:07am On Oct 05, 2025

correctyourself:
From this report, briafa who first invaded Asaba brought problems to them, and when the Nigeria troops came came briafa didn't wait and defend, rather, they went back to original land.

All these happened just because of one person's greediness and hungry for power . Unfortunately, some people continue fighting on what happens when they were not born

Same thing is still happening till today lin country like Cameroon

Firstly, are you saying the Asaba people you first called victims of the Biafran invasion were rescued by the Nigerian army only for the Nigerian army to massacre them ?

Secondly, if you say the Biafran soldiers were wrong for taking over Asaba without killing them, so you are saying the Nigerian soldiers were right for taking over and killing them?

The way you tribalists reason eh, you people just flip logic and common sense over its head, as for your statement about hungry for power, your first narrative has given you away as someone not applying logic and common sense on the matter...

1 Like

Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by Brendaniel: 8:08am On Oct 05, 2025

correctyourself:
What's difficult for you to comprehend here, I responded to the topic I.

When Former President Jonathan lost election even though it was obvious things were done wrong, he still decided to leave power. He would have stopped the election, but because of people who may lost their lives, he stepped down.

In the case of Ojukwu Briafa, here preferred people fight and die to enable him rule.

You should have asked what led to the war in the first place, I see you don't even know that's why you are talking like chicken running without direction...

Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by chiagozien(m): 9:41am On Oct 05, 2025

correctyourself:
What's difficult for you to comprehend here, I responded to the topic I.

When Former President Jonathan lost election even though it was obvious things were done wrong, he still decided to leave power. He would have stopped the election, but because of people who may lost their lives, he stepped down.

In the case of Ojukwu Briafa, here preferred people fight and die to enable him rule.

Only fooolz compare Apple With orange.

Easterners were being murdered in North and west with your Gowon doing anything to stop it.

Jonathan releasing power to save lives and Ojukwu separating his people being killed in other parts of the country to save lives, what is the difference?

Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by Unseen(m): 9:56am On Oct 05, 2025

TheSourcerer:
The Asaba Massacre: (Death Toll: Over 700 men and boys)

As Fu’ad Lawal writes, Asaba will never forget the events of one of the deadliest days of the Nigerian Civil War.

Three months after the first gunshot had signified the start of the Nigerian civil war, Biafran troops marched into Nigeria’s midwest region as they advanced towards Lagos.

After reaching as far as Ore, they were repelled by forces under the command of Col. Murtala Mohammed.

The Biafran troops marched back to Onitsha in the Eastern heartland, after which they demolished the Niger Bridge, leaving the Nigerian Army stranded on the other side in Asaba.
Aggrieved by this abrupt end to their march, the Nigerian soldiers went into Asaba and began checking through homes, accusing the people of sympathising with Biafra

In a bid to quell the tensions, the leaders of the town asked the people to come out in a show of support for One Nigeria.

Hundreds of men, women, and children, many wearing the ceremonial akwa ocha (white) attire paraded along the main street, singing, dancing, and chanting “One Nigeria.”

It did nothing to placate the Nigerian Army. The people were gathered in an open square, men were separated from the women and over 700 boys and men were shot dead.

(The hate on Igbos I still don't get it , how can you despise racism and encourage Tribalism , how can you be igbo and hate Igbos) undecided

Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by correctyourself(m): 10:27am On Oct 05, 2025

chiagozien:
Only fooolz compare Apple With orange.

Easterners were being murdered in North and west with your Gowon doing anything to stop it.

Jonathan releasing power to save lives and Ojukwu separating his people being killed in other parts of the country to save lives, what is the difference?

If not for the bolded up there, you would understand it's a disaster for people to be lead to suicide missions.

Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by chiagozien(m): 11:31am On Oct 05, 2025

correctyourself:
If not for the bolded up there, you would understand it's a disaster for people to be lead to suicide missions.

Exactly the diaster and suicide mission of one Nigeria that is consuming those in it every day.

Last month alone over 200 were killed because of your one Nigeria , calculate to those that dies a year and multiply it by 65 years of the failed state.

Re: Anniversary Of The Asaba Massacre by gidgiddy(op): 11:44am On Oct 07, 2025

Asaba mourns, fifty eight years later

1 Reply

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