History of Biafra and Nigerian war
The history of Biafra and the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, begins in the early 1960s when Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule. Nigeria was made up of various ethnic groups, including the Igbo people who lived mainly in the southeastern region of the country.
In 1966, there was a military coup in Nigeria which resulted in the deaths of many Igbo political and military leaders. This was followed by a counter-coup in which Igbo civilians were targeted and killed in the northern part of the country. This led to a wave of violence and mass displacement of Igbo people from the north to the southeast.
In 1967, the Igbo-dominated eastern region of Nigeria declared independence as the Republic of Biafra, led by Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. The Nigerian government, led by General Yakubu Gowon, responded by declaring war on Biafra, which lasted until 1970.
The war was marked by intense fighting, atrocities, and a humanitarian crisis as the Nigerian government imposed a blockade on Biafra, preventing food and medical supplies from reaching the population. Estimates of the number of people who died during the war range from 1 to 3 million, mostly due to starvation and disease.
Biafra surrendered in January 1970, and the secessionist movement was effectively suppressed. However, the issues that led to the war, including ethnic tensions and political marginalization, persisted in Nigeria. The legacy of the war continues to shape Nigerian politics and society.
