A few days ago, retired General Yakubu Gowon celebrated his 90th birthday with a ceremony brimming with joy and spectacle. At the event, he engaged in an interview with journalists but tactfully skirted around the issue of the genocide committed against the people of the Old Eastern Region. This atrocity was carried out by the Nigerian army with the backing of the British government while he held the positions of head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Nigeria from 1966 to 1970.
It may have been anticipated that he would seize this opportunity to offer an apology to the families of the more than three million people of the Old Eastern Region of Nigeria (mainly Igbos) who perished under his leadership, but such a gesture was absent. Therefore, I am compelled to compose this piece to underscore the significance of taking responsible actions for the sake of future generations and to facilitate the complete reconciliation process in Nigeria.
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Retired General Yakubu Gowon’s legacy remains tainted by the brutal actions he oversaw during the Nigerian-Biafran conflict of 1967-1970. His involvement in what many now recognize as a systematic genocide against the Biafran people has drawn comparisons to infamous dictators like Uganda’s Gen. Idi Amin. The events of that dark period continue to haunt the modern generations of the Old Eastern Region of Nigeria, who see Gowon as a ruthless leader who prioritized political and economic interests at the expense of countless innocent lives.
The atrocities committed under General Yakubu Gowon’s leadership are well-documented and continue to evoke deep pain and trauma among the surviving victims and their descendants. The deliberate targeting of non-military spaces such as schools, markets, and churches, the ruthless bombings that claimed the lives of innocent civilians, including children, and the massacres that specifically targeted the people of the Old Eastern Region of Nigeria (especially Igbos) paint a grim picture of Gowon’s rule during those turbulent years.
The Owerinta market bombing, the Osowa Ogbe Asaba massacre, the attacks on schools like Okigwe National High School, and the slaughter of unarmed Biafran soldiers who had surrendered all stand as stark reminders of the brutalities inflicted under Gowon’s command. The involvement of foreign powers like Britain, the USA, and others in supporting Gowon’s regime in carrying out these atrocities further underscores the magnitude of the violence that was unleashed on the Igbo people.
General Yakubu Gowon’s refusal to acknowledge or apologize for the horrors perpetrated under his watch only adds to the lingering pain and calls for justice from the affected communities. The failure to address the truth of what happened during those years deepens the wounds and reinforces the perception of Gowon as a leader who valued power and control above human rights and decency.
As Nigeria grapples with the consequences of its past actions, the echoes of the Biafran conflict reverberate in the present-day challenges facing the country. The marginalization of ethnic groups, the ongoing conflicts, and the cries for secession all bear the imprint of the violence and injustices of that era. Gowon’s role in shaping Nigeria’s current state of instability cannot be overlooked, and the need for reconciliation and accountability remains paramount.
In light of General Yakubu Gowon’s recent 90th birthday celebration and his interview where he sidestepped the atrocities committed during his tenure, the wounds of the past are reignited. As the nation reflects on its history and seeks a path forward, acknowledging the truth of the past and holding accountable those responsible for the atrocities is essential for healing and moving towards a more just and inclusive future. Only by confronting the dark chapters of its history can Nigeria hope to build a more peaceful and united nation where the rights and dignity of all its citizens are respected and upheld.
Also attached with this write-up below is the letter allegedly written by Retired General Yakubu Gowon to the then British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, requesting him to intervene and prevent the BBC, Financial Times, and The Economist from reporting the genuine situation in Biafra. This request was made in return for oil supplies as these media outlets were seen as aiding the Nigerian Army by providing arms.
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I never thought about it that way—great perspective.
This is such a helpful guide—thanks for posting it.