Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers

Solomon Amiara Amiara

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14

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Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers

Solomon Amiara Amiara

Published in Journal of Political Science and International Relations (Volume 2, Issue 4)

Received: 14 November 2019 Accepted: 26 November 2019 Published: 17 December 2019

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Abstract

The Nigeria−Biafran war was an interstate military confrontation engaged in by the forces of Nigeria and Biafra between 1967−1970 as the former tried to maintain the cooperate existence of the country subsequent upon the latter expressing determinationto break away from the national sovereignty of the federal republic of Nigeria. On the one hand, the Biafrans cited discrimination and political marginalization as the bane of the conflict. While on the other hand, it was the inability or rather the unwillingness of the Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon to rectify the resolution of 'Aburi Accord' that precipitated the outbreak of the conflict. Consequently, the war that was perceived to be a police-match by the Nigerian troops had ended up in three years of bloodshed and destructions. Although, commentators and historians alike have done a lot of classical studies on the causes and the aftermath of the civil war, which no doubt have provided a framework for understanding and analyzing conflict in Nigeria, however little have been done to unpack the factors necessary for the Biafran troops unprecedented resilience, credence and military capability that repelled attacks from the Nigerian troops who had more firepower, external support and an organized trained army. It is against this backdrop therefore, that this paper argues that Nigerian soldiers gained prominence immediately indiscipline and sabotage began to intrude among the Biafran soldiers. Our objectives are to critically examine how internal squabbles and perfunctory attitude among the Biafran soldiers have combined to weaken their military capability and enthusiasm to win the war. Data were collected from secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles and archival materials, while content analysis was applied in analyzing data collected for this study. The paper concludes that the 'cancer indiscipline', betrayal and sabotage have caused the Biafrans' dreams of actualizing sovereignty and recognition within the international community to be abruptly terminated.

Published in	Journal of Political Science and International Relations (Volume 2, Issue 4) This article belongs to the Special Issue Nigerian−Biafra War: Reinterrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage Among the Biafran Soldiers 1967 - 1970
DOI	10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14
Page(s)	101-107
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Biafra, Indiscipline, Sabotage, Civil War, Nigeria

References

[1]	S. C. Ukpabi, Historical Perspective of the Nigerian Civil War: Lessons for Nigeria. An Unpublished Essay on Nigeria-Biafra War.
[2]	A. A. Nwankwo, Nigeria: The Challenge of Biafra, London, Rex Collings Ltd, 1981.
[3]	C. Achebe, There was A Country, A Personal History of Biafra, USA, Allen Lane Penguin Books, 2012, p. 171.
[4]	P. O. Okpaga, The Option for Ndi Igbo, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006, p. 44.
[5]	J. B. Webster, A. A. Boahen and M. Tidy, The Revolutionary Years: West Africa SinceIndependence, 1800. Hong Kong, Longman Group Ltd, 1980, p. 346.
[6]	E. O. Ojukwu, Because I Am Involved, Ibadan, Spectrum Books Limited, 1989, p. 2.
[7]	N. Charles, Self Determination: The Nigeria-Biafran Case, World Politics, 24 (4), JSTOR, 2016, pp. 473-497.
[8]	A. A. Madiebo, The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War, Enugu, Fourth Dimension, 1980, pp. 107-236.
[9]	C. C. Osakwe and L. O. Udeagbala, Navy Military Operations in Bony During the Nigerian Civilian War 1967-1970, in Advances in Historical Studies, Vol. 4, 2015, 232-238.
[10]	P. A. Olayoku, Memorialsation Principles, Post-Civil War Reintegration and The Quest for Sustainable Peace in Nigeria, French Institute for Research in Africa, in http://books. openedition.org, 2019, p. 201.

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Solomon Amiara Amiara. (2019). Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers. Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 2(4), 101-107. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14

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Solomon Amiara Amiara. Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers. J. Polit. Sci. Int. Relat. 2019, 2(4), 101-107. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14

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AMA Style

Solomon Amiara Amiara. Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers. J Polit Sci Int Relat. 2019;2(4):101-107. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14

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@article{10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14,
  author = {Solomon Amiara Amiara},
  title = {Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers},
  journal = {Journal of Political Science and International Relations},
  volume = {2},
  number = {4},
  pages = {101-107},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jpsir.20190204.14},
  abstract = {The Nigeria−Biafran war was an interstate military confrontation engaged in by the forces of Nigeria and Biafra between 1967−1970 as the former tried to maintain the cooperate existence of the country subsequent upon the latter expressing determinationto break away from the national sovereignty of the federal republic of Nigeria. On the one hand, the Biafrans cited discrimination and political marginalization as the bane of the conflict. While on the other hand, it was the inability or rather the unwillingness of the Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon to rectify the resolution of 'Aburi Accord' that precipitated the outbreak of the conflict. Consequently, the war that was perceived to be a police-match by the Nigerian troops had ended up in three years of bloodshed and destructions. Although, commentators and historians alike have done a lot of classical studies on the causes and the aftermath of the civil war, which no doubt have provided a framework for understanding and analyzing conflict in Nigeria, however little have been done to unpack the factors necessary for the Biafran troops unprecedented resilience, credence and military capability that repelled attacks from the Nigerian troops who had more firepower, external support and an organized trained army. It is against this backdrop therefore, that this paper argues that Nigerian soldiers gained prominence immediately indiscipline and sabotage began to intrude among the Biafran soldiers. Our objectives are to critically examine how internal squabbles and perfunctory attitude among the Biafran soldiers have combined to weaken their military capability and enthusiasm to win the war. Data were collected from secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles and archival materials, while content analysis was applied in analyzing data collected for this study. The paper concludes that the 'cancer indiscipline', betrayal and sabotage have caused the Biafrans' dreams of actualizing sovereignty and recognition within the international community to be abruptly terminated.},
 year = {2019}
}

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T1  - Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers
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JO  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
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AB  - The Nigeria−Biafran war was an interstate military confrontation engaged in by the forces of Nigeria and Biafra between 1967−1970 as the former tried to maintain the cooperate existence of the country subsequent upon the latter expressing determinationto break away from the national sovereignty of the federal republic of Nigeria. On the one hand, the Biafrans cited discrimination and political marginalization as the bane of the conflict. While on the other hand, it was the inability or rather the unwillingness of the Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon to rectify the resolution of 'Aburi Accord' that precipitated the outbreak of the conflict. Consequently, the war that was perceived to be a police-match by the Nigerian troops had ended up in three years of bloodshed and destructions. Although, commentators and historians alike have done a lot of classical studies on the causes and the aftermath of the civil war, which no doubt have provided a framework for understanding and analyzing conflict in Nigeria, however little have been done to unpack the factors necessary for the Biafran troops unprecedented resilience, credence and military capability that repelled attacks from the Nigerian troops who had more firepower, external support and an organized trained army. It is against this backdrop therefore, that this paper argues that Nigerian soldiers gained prominence immediately indiscipline and sabotage began to intrude among the Biafran soldiers. Our objectives are to critically examine how internal squabbles and perfunctory attitude among the Biafran soldiers have combined to weaken their military capability and enthusiasm to win the war. Data were collected from secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles and archival materials, while content analysis was applied in analyzing data collected for this study. The paper concludes that the 'cancer indiscipline', betrayal and sabotage have caused the Biafrans' dreams of actualizing sovereignty and recognition within the international community to be abruptly terminated.
VL  - 2
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Author Information

Solomon Amiara Amiara

Department of History and International Relations, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

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Solomon Amiara Amiara. (2019). Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers. Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 2(4), 101-107. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14

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ACS Style

Solomon Amiara Amiara. Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers. J. Polit. Sci. Int. Relat. 2019, 2(4), 101-107. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14

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AMA Style

Solomon Amiara Amiara. Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers. J Polit Sci Int Relat. 2019;2(4):101-107. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14

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@article{10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14,
  author = {Solomon Amiara Amiara},
  title = {Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers},
  journal = {Journal of Political Science and International Relations},
  volume = {2},
  number = {4},
  pages = {101-107},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jpsir.20190204.14},
  abstract = {The Nigeria−Biafran war was an interstate military confrontation engaged in by the forces of Nigeria and Biafra between 1967−1970 as the former tried to maintain the cooperate existence of the country subsequent upon the latter expressing determinationto break away from the national sovereignty of the federal republic of Nigeria. On the one hand, the Biafrans cited discrimination and political marginalization as the bane of the conflict. While on the other hand, it was the inability or rather the unwillingness of the Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon to rectify the resolution of 'Aburi Accord' that precipitated the outbreak of the conflict. Consequently, the war that was perceived to be a police-match by the Nigerian troops had ended up in three years of bloodshed and destructions. Although, commentators and historians alike have done a lot of classical studies on the causes and the aftermath of the civil war, which no doubt have provided a framework for understanding and analyzing conflict in Nigeria, however little have been done to unpack the factors necessary for the Biafran troops unprecedented resilience, credence and military capability that repelled attacks from the Nigerian troops who had more firepower, external support and an organized trained army. It is against this backdrop therefore, that this paper argues that Nigerian soldiers gained prominence immediately indiscipline and sabotage began to intrude among the Biafran soldiers. Our objectives are to critically examine how internal squabbles and perfunctory attitude among the Biafran soldiers have combined to weaken their military capability and enthusiasm to win the war. Data were collected from secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles and archival materials, while content analysis was applied in analyzing data collected for this study. The paper concludes that the 'cancer indiscipline', betrayal and sabotage have caused the Biafrans' dreams of actualizing sovereignty and recognition within the international community to be abruptly terminated.},
 year = {2019}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Nigerian−Biafra War: Re-interrogating Indiscipline and Sabotage among the Biafran Soldiers
AU  - Solomon Amiara Amiara
Y1  - 2019/12/17
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14
T2  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
JF  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
JO  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
SP  - 101
EP  - 107
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-2785
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20190204.14
AB  - The Nigeria−Biafran war was an interstate military confrontation engaged in by the forces of Nigeria and Biafra between 1967−1970 as the former tried to maintain the cooperate existence of the country subsequent upon the latter expressing determinationto break away from the national sovereignty of the federal republic of Nigeria. On the one hand, the Biafrans cited discrimination and political marginalization as the bane of the conflict. While on the other hand, it was the inability or rather the unwillingness of the Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon to rectify the resolution of 'Aburi Accord' that precipitated the outbreak of the conflict. Consequently, the war that was perceived to be a police-match by the Nigerian troops had ended up in three years of bloodshed and destructions. Although, commentators and historians alike have done a lot of classical studies on the causes and the aftermath of the civil war, which no doubt have provided a framework for understanding and analyzing conflict in Nigeria, however little have been done to unpack the factors necessary for the Biafran troops unprecedented resilience, credence and military capability that repelled attacks from the Nigerian troops who had more firepower, external support and an organized trained army. It is against this backdrop therefore, that this paper argues that Nigerian soldiers gained prominence immediately indiscipline and sabotage began to intrude among the Biafran soldiers. Our objectives are to critically examine how internal squabbles and perfunctory attitude among the Biafran soldiers have combined to weaken their military capability and enthusiasm to win the war. Data were collected from secondary sources such as textbooks, journal articles and archival materials, while content analysis was applied in analyzing data collected for this study. The paper concludes that the 'cancer indiscipline', betrayal and sabotage have caused the Biafrans' dreams of actualizing sovereignty and recognition within the international community to be abruptly terminated.
VL  - 2
IS  - 4
ER  -

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