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Biafra (/ b i ˈ æ f r ə / bee-AF-rə), [4] officially the Republic of Biafra, [5] was a partially recognised state in West Africa [6] [7] that declared independence from Nigeria and existed from 1967 until 1970. [8] Its territory consisted of the former Eastern Region of Nigeria, predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group. [1]
Biafra began the war with only 230 soldiers at Enugu, which grew to two battalions by August 1967, which soon were expanded into two brigades, the 51st and 52nd which became the core of the Biafran Army. [132] By 1969, the Biafrans were to field 90,000 soldiers formed into five undermanned divisions together with a number of independent units ...
Biafra attracted a large amount of international attention from mid-1968, when images of starving Biafran children began to appear in the international press. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] Biafran propaganda compared Igbo to Jews and the blockade of Biafra to the Holocaust .
900 – The reign of the Kingdom of Nri began. 1100 – Rulers of the Kanem empire embrace Islam. Mai Dunama I (r. 1097–1150) drowns at Suez in 1150. Kanem establish diplomatic ties with Tunisia. [1]: 75 1200 – Ilé-Ifẹ̀ becomes Yoruba metropolis. Kanem increase influence in the Islamic world throughout the century.
The invasion began on August 9 when 3,000 Biafran soldiers led by General Victor Banjo crossed the River Niger Bridge into Asaba. Upon reaching Agbor , the Biafrans split up. With the 12th Battalion moving west capturing Benin City and Ore, the 18th Battalion swung south, taking Warri , Sapele and Ughelli , while the 13th Battalion headed north ...
Relief aid into Biafra began arriving by land, sea, and air soon after the start of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967. Reports of widespread famine began emerging, many from NGOs participating in the relief aid efforts. Relief flights ramped up after Nigeria's land and sea blockade of Biafra became near-total in June 1968.
On 30 May 1967, when the Igbos declared their independence from Nigeria and formed the breakaway state of Biafra, [62] the Nigerian and British governments launched a total blockade of Biafra. [63] Initially on the offensive, Biafra began to suffer and its government frequently had to move because the Nigerian army kept on conquering its ...
On May 30, 1967 Ojukwu officially seceded the Eastern Region and proclaimed the new Republic of Biafra. [2] Ojukwu managed to assemble a 3,000 man guerrilla force to defend Biafra's front lines. In early July 1967 Nigerian President Gowon ordered the Nigerian Army high command to regain control of the Eastern Region.