The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has accused former Nigerian heads of state, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd.), of orchestrating the killing of Igbo schoolchildren during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970). This war was fought between the Nigerian military government and Biafran forces led by the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
In a statement released by the OYC’s National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the council claimed that these former leaders were complicit in the political instability that continues to affect Nigeria today.
According to Igboayaka, Gowon played a significant role in what he described as the “Igbo genocide” that took place during the conflict. He stated that many in the Igbo community today view the events of 1967-1970 not as a civil war, but as a systematic genocide against the Igbos, orchestrated by the British government in collaboration with the Northern and Western Nigerian political factions.
The OYC condemned the actions of Gowon’s government, accusing it of violating basic humanitarian principles by deliberately targeting civilians and non-military spaces, including churches, schools, and markets.
The statement referenced specific atrocities, such as the bombing of Owerinta market, which led to the deaths of over 100 civilians, as well as similar bombings of Uzuakoli and Ozuabam markets in Arochukwu, Abia State.
These attacks, the OYC claimed, were carried out by Russian bombers hired by Gowon’s administration, leaving many victims with grievous injuries.
The council also mentioned the bombing of Okigwe National High School, which resulted in the deaths of many innocent students, and the lasting scars this tragedy has left on the Igbo community.
Furthermore, it highlighted the 1967 massacre at Osowa Ogbe in Asaba, where over 700 Igbo men were reportedly killed by Nigeria’s 2nd Division, under the command of Murtala Mohammed.
The OYC blamed Gowon’s government for the massacre, alleging that military leaders like Ibrahim Haruna and Ibrahim Taiwo were involved.Igboayaka stressed that the civil war continues to traumatize Igbo youth, and that Gowon’s denials of responsibility only intensify concerns.
He urged Gowon to clarify whether “Operation No Mercy: Shoot Everything at Sight” was part of the Nigerian war strategy, especially in light of a ceasefire announcement. The OYC also accused General Obasanjo, who commanded the 3rd Marine Commando at the time, of targeting and killing remaining civilians, including schoolchildren, after the ceasefire.
In particular, the Mbaise region in Imo State was cited as a site of severe violence during the war. The OYC recounted stories of soldiers attacking innocent schoolchildren, including one incident in which over 100 students were allegedly killed, and survivors like Miss Chinwe Ohaeri (now Professor Chinwe Obaji) narrowly escaped death.
The council demanded accountability from Gowon for the killing of more than 200 Biafran soldiers in Port Harcourt who had surrendered for disarmament, accusing forces under Obasanjo’s command of carrying out the massacre.
According to Igboayaka, the atrocities committed during the war, under Gowon’s leadership and Obasanjo’s command, have contributed to Nigeria’s ongoing instability and have fueled calls for secession.
