Nigeria was led by General Yakubu Gowon, while Biafra was led by General Chukwuemeka “Emeka” Odumegwu Ojukwu. On the 6th of July 1967 in Gakem, a town in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River state, troops from the Nigerian Army’s 1st Division led by Major Mohammed Shuwa at about 5.30 am launched an artillery shelling aimed at the Biafran soldiers camped around the hill in the town. Nigeria declared war on Biafran.
Yakubu Gowon accepted Biafra’s Instrument of Surrender three days after it was signed on behalf of the Supreme Military Council (15 January 1970) in Lagos where he admitted the war created untold hardship for Nigerians and declared the now infamous “no victor no vanquish” speech officially ending hostilities.
#Today in history
