This period, we shall be bringing to you some event and brief history about Biafra genocide of 1967 to 1970. No matter how they want us to forget it, we shall resist them because "We Shall Never Forget." I will be using reference from the late sage and the finest writer from Africa, Late Prof Chinua Achebe.

BIAFRA TAKES AN OIL RIG: THE KWALE INCIDENT
In the middle of the rainy season of 1969, Biafran Military Intelligence allegedly obtained information that foreign oilmen, particularly staff from the Italian government oil conglomerate, Eni were aiding the Nigerian Army. The foreign workers were allegedly providing sensitive military information to the federal forces about Biafran troops position, strategic military manoeuvres and training.

The information was quickly made available to the Biafran command, which swiftly sent soldiers on a stealth Dawn operation during which they invaded Eni's combine in Kwale, in the Niger River Delta's oil reserve known as Okpai oil field. By the end of the exercise eleven workers had been killed, ten of the dead were Italian and one Jordan. The Biafrans took eighteen Eni employees’ hostages. Fourteen were Italian, three German and one Lebanese. What happened next would stir international outrage of epic proportions and threaten the fragile emotional and moral support that the Biafrans had developed during the course of the war.

The men were quickly detained on Biafran soil, tried and found guilty of supporting the enemy, the federal troops of Nigeria to wage a war of genocide. Predictably, there was a spontaneous outcry and appeal for clemency from disparate groups and countries. The Vatican and the embassies of Italy, Germany, Portugal and Biafra African supporters like Ivory Coast and Gabon were at the vanguard of those asking for the release of the prisoners.

Biafra local and international supporters were dismayed. One observer commented at the time saying " this indeed was not what the cause was about, we engage in a fight of self-determination... this was an unnecessary and costly distraction. Biafra officials were adamant, even obstinate, the enclave minister for information, Ifegwu Eke had this to say "OILMEN ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN MERCENARIES" this are the people responsible for our sufferings.

OJUKWU'S RADIO PRONOUNCEMENT
Oscillating amid impassioned outrage and constrained eloquence, the Biafran Leader exclaimed: "FOR EIGHTEEN WHITE MEN, EUROPE IS AROUSED. WHAT HAVE THEY SAID ABOUT OUR MILLIONS? EIGHTEEN WHITE MEN ASSISTING IN CRIME OF GENOCIDE. WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT OUR MURDERED INNOCENTS? HOW MANY BLACK DEAD MAKE ONE MISSING WHITE? MATHEMATICIANS, PLEASE ANSWER ME. IS IT INFINITY?

After Ojukwu received a private letter from Pope in June 1969, personally pleading for the release of the oilmen, many in Ojukwu's inner circle were concerned about an international backlash. If the situation is not resolved swiftly, they feared it could precipitate an instant sinking of Biafra International reputation and permanent loss of the Vatican, Italian, indeed international humanitarian support. Eventually in late June, the eighteen detained men were released and flown out of Biafra in the custody of diplomats from Ivory Coast and Gabon.

ACHEBE'S THOUGHT: Be that as it may, the fact that seemed to have completely escaped the Biafran leaders was this: as a people proclaiming victimization at the hands of Nigeria and rightfully so, we could not be seen as victimizers in any situation or setting, in order to continue receiving widespread moral and humanitarian support we needed to survive. This failure to recognize this fundamental principle, I believe contributed immensely to the downturn in Biafra's fortunes.

MY OWN THOUGHT: Ojukwu reacted rightly and gave them a nice reply, why would the whites value 18 men over millions of Biafrans killed? Same thing is still happening today, but tomorrow if Biafrans react, there will be another outburst from the international Community. I wrote out this part for reflection, Ojukwu still respected all those he could have respect. He still released those 18 whites but the killings still continue before Biafrans surrendered few months later.

All Hail Biafra!

We shall never forget what the oilmen did to our land. They gave out our information and the Nigerians capitalized on it and killed our people.

May 30th, Sit-At-Home.

From Chinua Achebe's THERE WAS A COUNTRY

Written by:
Mazi Chukwudi Okeke
For: Lagos State Media

Edited by:
Oby Mboma
For: Lagos State Media

Published by:
Chibuike John Nebeokike
For: Lagos State Media

Share To:
Magpress

MagPress

NEWS IS VERY IMPORTANT SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS...

0 comments so far,add yours