The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has accused former Nigerian military leaders, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) and General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd), of orchestrating the deaths of Igbo schoolchildren during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) and contributing to Nigeria’s ongoing political instability.
In a statement released by its National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, on Monday, the Council emphasized that Gowon’s actions during the civil war amounted to genocide against the Igbo people. The OYC maintained that the events of the war, often referred to as the “Biafran War,” were not merely a civil conflict but a premeditated extermination supported by the British government in alliance with Northern and Western Nigerian elites.
Targeting Civilians and Schools
According to the statement, Gowon’s government violated international norms by targeting non-military spaces, including schools, churches, and marketplaces. The OYC recalled tragic incidents such as the bombing of Owerinta market, where over 100 civilians lost their lives, as well as similar attacks on Uzuakoli and Ozuabam markets in Arochukwu, Abia State. Russian-made bombers, allegedly hired by Gowon’s regime, carried out the strikes, leaving civilians with horrific injuries and exposing the wounded to scavenging animals.
The Council further accused Gowon’s forces of bombing Okigwe National High School, killing many innocent students. The lingering scars of these attacks remain visible today, symbolizing the atrocities committed during the conflict.
Osowa Ogbe Asaba Massacre and Other Atrocities
The OYC also referenced the 1967 Osowa Ogbe Asaba massacre, where the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Division, led by Murtala Mohammed, executed over 700 Igbo men and boys. The victims were deceived into gathering under the guise of peace but were summarily killed. The Council noted that military officers Ibrahim Haruna and Ibrahim Taiwo played key roles in the massacre under Gowon’s command, further tarnishing his regime’s legacy.
Operation No Mercy and Schoolchildren Killings
Comrade Igboayaka alleged that during the war, General Olusegun Obasanjo’s 3rd Marine Commando disregarded ceasefire agreements and targeted civilians. According to him, schoolchildren were not spared, with soldiers reportedly instructing girls to say their final prayers before executing them. One harrowing account involved Miss Chinwe Ohaeri, now Professor Chinwe Obaji, who survived an attack at Okpofe in Mbaise, Imo State, where over 100 schoolchildren were killed.
The Council also accused Obasanjo’s forces of killing over 200 Biafran soldiers who surrendered in Port Harcourt for disarmament. Despite laying down their arms, they were executed, allegedly under Obasanjo’s command.
Legacy of Genocide and Calls for Justice
Igboayaka stated that the atrocities committed during the civil war continue to haunt the Igbo people, contributing to the lingering trauma among Igbo youths. He warned that Gowon’s refusal to acknowledge his role in the genocide and his persistent denials in media platforms would only heighten public concern.
The Council demanded that Gowon clarify whether the infamous war strategy, “Operation No Mercy: Shoot Everything at Sight,” was official policy during the conflict. It criticized the involvement of both Gowon and Obasanjo in post-ceasefire operations that specifically targeted children and other vulnerable civilians.
According to the OYC, the horrors inflicted on the Mbaise region are among the many atrocities carried out under Gowon’s leadership and Obasanjo’s military command. The Council stressed that these actions, including the killing of schoolchildren, have left a legacy of distrust and instability, contributing to the resurgence of secessionist sentiments in the country.
“The consequences of the war and the genocide committed against the Igbo people are evident in the current state of Nigeria’s political instability,” Igboayaka said. “The deliberate atrocities of the past remain a catalyst for ongoing calls for self-determination.”
The Ohanaeze Youth Council concluded by urging General Yakubu Gowon and General Olusegun Obasanjo to take responsibility for their roles in the tragic events of the war. The group emphasized that accountability and truth are necessary steps toward healing and national reconciliation.
