FilOne of the major events that marks our existence as a nation is the Biafran war. It is considered to be one of the darkest pages in our history given the innocent people who died in the struggle.
Although this war lasted for 3 years, the pains inflicted on the citizens will never be forgotten. As a matter of fact, the memories of it will always be told to generations unborn.
The Biafran war which is also known as the Nigerian Civil War started 6th July 1966 and ended 15th January 1970. It was a battle fought to oppose the breakaway of Biafra from Nigeria. Biafra started out as nationalist aspirations of the Igbo people with leaders who felt they could not operate in the same sphere with the Federal Government that was dominated by northerners.
The tension caused from this resulted in political, ethnic, cultural and religious crises. There was immediate persecution of the Igbos living in northern Nigeria. The federal military government surrounded Biafra while capturing coastal oil facilities and Portharcourt city. The siege laid on the productive areas resulted in severe famine which as a deliberate means of expunging the people there.
The war left up to two million Biafran civilians dead with about 100,000 military casualties recorded. Most of the Biafran civilians died from starvation. The war did not affect the Igbo ethnic group alone, Christians suffered from the violence as the northern people thought they were going to take over the leadership of the country.
The nation's economy suffered after the war as a lot of money was spent on the reconstruction of the country. Rehabilitation programmes were invested in to help soldiers and sufferers start a new life. Many Nigerians also left their homes and properties while some lost their loved ones in the war and this affected them psychologically.
Find below some of the touching pictures from the Nigerian Civil War below:
1. Streets became desolate and destitute
File photo of a street during the war.
2. Soldiers waiting to strike
Soldiers fighting during the war.
3. Some of the gallant soldiers who fought the war
File photo of some soldiers
4. Nigerian children affected by the war
File photo of children made orphans during the war
5. Many children died of hunger
File photo of some starved children during the war.
6. One of the fallen heroes
A picture of a fallen hero during the war.
7. Happiness became a luxury many could not afford
File photo of affected children during the war.
8. Ojukwu, the Biafran leader
The Biafran warlord, Ojukwu.
9. Many soldiers laid down their lives for the Biafran cause
File photo of Ojukwu checking out his soldiers.
10. The military leader who drove the move to be independent from Nigeria
Late C. Odumegwu Ojukwu, Nigerian military officer who led the Biafran war
11. The war wrecked a lot of lives
File photo of soldiers assisting a fallen person.
12. Soldiers setting up for the day
Soldiers at war.
13. Those who live to tell a war story live with so much pains
File photo of one of the affected persons.
14. An unhappy child
File photo of a suffering child during the war.
15. Many people died horrifying deaths
Thousands of lives were lost in the war.
16. Dreams were cut short with the war
File photo of a soldier set to shoot on sight.
17. Everyone lived in apprehension
Everyone became a suspect during the war.
18. Many became homeless
File photo of Nigerians on the move in order to avoid being killed during the war.
19. When the war was called off
File photo of Nigerians rejoicing at the end of the war.
These pictures show that Nigerians suffered a great deal during the war. After seeing these pictures, you will not want to see any of the horrifying moments recorded in still images happen in real life.
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