ASABA MASSACRE

 

ASABA MASSACRE

In the early mornings of 5th of October 1967, the Nigerian troops entered Asaba, ransacking houses and killing civilians on the justification that they were Biafran sympathizers.

As a way of forestalling the tragedy that had befall them, the community leaders came up with a plan to appease the invading and raging Nigerian troops.

In the Morning of October 7 1967, the town leaders had summoned the townspeople to assemble, 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.

Nigerian troops revealed machine guns, and orders were given, reportedly by Second-in-Command, Maj. Ibrahim Taiwo, to open fire on the innocent, peaceful and unarmed individuals.

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 ASABA MASSACRE goes as one of the most gruesome happenings of the Biafra Genocide.

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