THE ASABA MASSACRE
The federal troops entered Asaba around October 5, 1967
and began ransacking houses and killing civilians, claiming they were Biafran sympathisers.
Reports suggest that several hundred may have been killed individually and in
groups at various locations in the town. Leaders summoned the indigenes to
assemble on the morning of October 7, 1967, hoping to end the violence through
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.” At a junction, men and teenage boys were
separated from women and young children and gathered in an open square at
Ogbe-Osowa village. Federal troops revealed machine guns, and orders were
given, reportedly by Second - in- Command, Maj. Ibrahim Taiwo, to open fire. It
is estimated that more than 700 men and boys were killed, some as young as 12
years old, in addition to many more killed in the preceding days.
The bodies of some victims were retrieved by family
members and buried at home. But most were buried in mass graves, without
appropriate ceremony. Many extended families lost dozens of men and boys.
Federal troops occupied Asaba for many months, during which time most of the
town was destroyed, many women and girls were raped or forcibly “married,” and
large numbers of citizens fled, often not returning until the war ended in 1970.
The total death toll during early October was in excess of 1 ,000, although the
exact numbers may likely never be known.
The Asaba massacre, as it would be known, was only one of
the many post pogrom atrocities committed by the Nigerian Soldiers during the
war. It became a particular abomination in Asaba, as many of those killed were
titled chiefs and common folks alike, and their bodies were disposed of with
reckless abandon in mass grave, without regard to the wishes of the families of
the victims or the town ancient tradition.
His Holiness Pope Paul VI, having received commitments
from either the Nigerian or the Biafrans for a cease-fire, sent his emissary,
the well-regarded Monsignor Georges Rocheau to Nigeria on a fact-finding
mission. The horrified Roman Catholic priest to the French paper "Le
Monde" following the visit recounted what he witnessed.
Monsignor: THERE HAS BEEN GENOCIDE, FOR EXAMPLE ON THE
OCCASION OF THE 1966 MASSACRE, TWO AREAS HAVE SUFFERED BADLY FROM THE FIGHTING.
FIRSTLY, THE REGION BETWEEN THE TOWNS OF BENIN AND ASABA WHERE ONLY WIDOWS AND
ORPHANS REMAIN. THE FEDERAL TROOPS OF NIGERIA HAVING FOR UNKNOWN REASON
MASSACRED ALL THE MEN.
GOWON APOLOGY
This massacre took thirty-five years before the military
head of state of Nigeria during the war Gen Yakubu Gowon was able to apologise
to the people of Asaba for that massacre.
It came to me as a shock when I came to know about the
unfortunate happenings that happened to the sons and daughters of Asaba domain.
I felt very touched and honestly, I referred to the killings and ask for
forgiveness being the one who was in charge at that time. Certainly, it is not
something I would have approved of in whatsoever. I was made ignorant of it, I
think until it appeared in the papers. A young man Wrote a book at that time
--- Gowon.
MAJ GEN IBRAHIM
HARUNA UNREMORSEFULLY TOLD JUSTICE OPUTA'S PANEL
As commanding officer and leader of troops that carried
the massacre of 500 men in Asaba, I have no apology for those massacred in Asaba,
Owerri and Ameke-Item. I acted as a soldier maintaining the peace and unity of
Nigeria, if Gowon apologized, he did it in his own capacity. As for me I have
no apology.
THEIR FALL AT
NIGER BRIDGE
Murtala Muhammed advanced quickly following the
abomination in Asaba to cross the Niger River to Onitsha. Nigeria federal
troops sustained many casualties by Gen Joseph Achuzie's Biafran troops and
they failed to take over the market town in their first attempt.
MY THOUGHT
This massacre was a terrible one and a lesson to all
those singing "One Nigeria" it can't save you when the dooms day
come. We should also never forget that our own were killed, we must honour them
even though they died for Nigeria. But they died because they were seen as
Biafrans by the Nigerian troops and for this reason. Every son and daughter
from present day Delta State must sit at home to honour our fallen Heroes.
Don't be ignorance of fact. Also reflect on the word of a non-Nigerian or
Biafran who gave his experience and said it was terrible. The Catholic Church
should also emulate the Catholic of 1960s, they send emissary and their
emissary gave a proper and unbiased report. Ibrahim Haruna have spoken the mind
of every Hausa/Fulani soldiers. That's why even till date Nigeria still kills
with reckless abandon those who talk about Biafra. But we can't stop and will
never forget those massacred.
#May30 #Sit-At-Home
#BiafraHeroesDay #BiafraRemembranceDay #BiafraGenocide
Credit to Punch and Chinua Achebe's THERE
WAS A COUNTRY
Written by:
Mazi Chukwudi Okeke
For: Lagos State Media
Published by:
Chibuike John Nebeokike
For: Lagos State Media
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