How Ojukwu ‘deliberately frustrated’ Nigeria’s last peace chance before Civil War — Gowon

ABUJA — Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has reopened one of the most painful chapters in Nigeria’s history, accusing late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, of frustrating repeated efforts to stop the country from sliding into civil war. The claim is contained in Gowon’s newly released 859-page autobiography, “My Life of Duty and Allegiance,” which offers a deeply personal account of the failed peace talks, political mistrust, and constitutional disputes that shattered negotiations between the federal military government and the Eastern Region before the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War. Gowon, now 92 years old, spoke extensively in the autobiography about the tensions that followed the January and July 1966 coups and the events that eventually pushed Nigeria into a 30-month war that claimed an estimated one to three million lives. The book was launched at a well-attended ceremony at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Ojukwu deliberately and effectively thwarted every effort we made to amicably resolve our national issues,” Gowon wrote in the memoir. The former military ruler said several attempts were made to reach a political settlement after the killings of Igbos in parts of Northern Nigeria triggered outrage, fear, and growing separatist pressure in the Eastern Region. According to him, the federal military government agreed to the January 1967 meeting in Aburi, Ghana, believing dialogue could still prevent the collapse of the federation. “We went to Aburi with open minds and with the sincere hope of finding a basis for national reconciliation,” Gowon wrote. The meeting, brokered by former Ghanaian leader Lt.-Gen. Joseph Arthur Ankrah, brought together Nigeria’s top military officers at a time the country was already under severe strain from coups, ethnic killings, and deepening distrust within the armed forces.

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But Gowon said the talks ran into trouble after both sides returned from Ghana with different interpretations of what had been agreed. In a separate interview on Arise TV, Gowon provided further details on the fundamental disagreement that derailed the accord, revealing that Ojukwu’s demand for regional control of military forces was a red line the federal government could not cross. “Although we said that the military would be zoned, you know, the control… he wanted, you know, those zones to be commanded by the governor. Say you have a military zone in the north, it would be commanded by the governor of the military in the north; the military zone in the east would be commanded by, you know, by him,” Gowon explained. “Of course, we did not agree with that one.” Gowon emphasized that the federal delegation never intended the summit to serve as a platform for constitutional restructuring or military devolution. “What was presented by Ojukwu as the Aburi Accord was, in reality, his own interpretation of our discussions,” he wrote.

The former leader also disclosed that he was unwell upon returning from the summit and unable to respond promptly to the terms Ojukwu had announced publicly, which he said led to confusion. “Unfortunately, I know people would not believe it, I was having a serious attack of a kind of fever or whatever it is, and I could not make a decision,” he noted. Gowon accused Ojukwu of acting unilaterally by announcing the accord’s outcome without mutual clarification. To address the ambiguity, Gowon said the federal government organized a follow-up meeting in Benin City with all regional governors — an effort Ojukwu ultimately snubbed, citing safety concerns. “We had to organise a meeting of all the governors. And he was invited to attend so that we can deal with the Accord. And we met at Nifo in Benin. And he did not turn up,” Gowon recounted. He expressed regret that the opportunity to salvage the accord was lost due to Ojukwu’s absence. “If he had come to that meeting, we could have resolved it.”

Beyond the diplomatic breakdown, Gowon’s autobiography contains explosive allegations that Ojukwu was secretly preparing for war even as peace talks progressed. The former head of state claimed that the Eastern Region’s arms build-up suffered a setback in October 1966 after a DC-4 aircraft carrying weapons crashed in the hills of Northern Cameroon. “It did not matter that his plan was to buy some more time to enable him to stockpile arms and ammunition. We were also mindful that he had cleverly planned to apply the brakes on our ability to deploy the numerical advantage of the existing firepower of the Nigerian Army,” Gowon wrote. In a dramatic revelation, Gowon’s autobiography alleges that France supported Ojukwu’s secessionist efforts in exchange for control of Biafra’s mineral deposits. The former head of state wrote that Ojukwu mortgaged the mineral wealth of Biafra to the Rothschild banking family for approximately $10 million (about N5 million at the time) to secure French-backed support for the rebel government. According to Gowon, as the war intensified, France provided the rebel government with enormous support through the former African territories it controlled, with the backing provided in exchange for what France hoped to gain from a successful Biafran breakaway. The true depth of the transaction only became known when the Nigerian Consulate in New York intercepted intelligence on a B-26 aircraft purchase routed through a South American country.

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Gowon further alleged that Ojukwu confirmed the arms stockpiling during a meeting in Enugu in May 1967 with a delegation of the National Conciliation Committee comprising Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Aluko, Jereton Mariere, and J.I.C. Onyia. According to Gowon, Ojukwu declared during that meeting that the Eastern Region had attained “equality of arms,” which would allow it to negotiate Nigeria’s future from a position of strength. Gowon quoted Ojukwu as saying: “Quietly I built up. If you do not know it, I am proud, and my officers are proud, that here in the East we possess the biggest army in Black Africa. I am no longer speaking as an underdog; I am speaking from a position of power.” However, Gowon dismissed Ojukwu’s claim as exaggeration, insisting that federal forces still maintained a clear military advantage. “I did not believe Ojukwu’s play to the gallery; I only said to myself that we would see about that,” he wrote.

The memoir also sheds light on the early tensions between the two leaders, revealing that Ojukwu opposed Gowon’s emergence as Head of State after the July 1966 counter-coup. Gowon disclosed that Ojukwu preferred Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, the most senior officer in the army hierarchy, to succeed the murdered Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. “Ojukwu refused my offer of friendship. By extension, he wilfully refused to recognise my leadership,” Gowon wrote. Despite Ojukwu’s refusal to recognise his authority, Gowon said he retained him as military governor of the Eastern Region in what he described as an altruistic decision. “My decision to retain Ojukwu in office was altogether altruistic though subsequent events made it seem a huge mistake,” he wrote. Gowon also revealed that he personally intervened to stop any move against Ojukwu, as some northern officers believed the Eastern governor was complicit in the January 15, 1966 coup that led to the assassination of key northern political and military leaders.

Gowon also defended the federal military government’s decision to create 12 states shortly before Biafra’s declaration, saying the move was aimed at addressing fears of domination among minority ethnic groups. According to him, several minority communities in the old Eastern Region wanted direct recognition from the federal government and feared being politically overshadowed. “The creation of states was intended to give all groups a sense of belonging within Nigeria,” he wrote. Gowon rejected claims that the federal government was eager for war, insisting that military confrontation became unavoidable only after the declaration of Biafra on May 30, 1967. The former military ruler also defended the ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ policy announced at the end of the Civil War in January 1970, saying reconciliation and reintegration were necessary to rebuild the country after years of bloodshed. “We fought to keep Nigeria one, not to destroy a people,” Gowon wrote. “We had to think about the future of the country beyond the bitterness of war,” he added. “We exhausted every peaceful avenue available to us. But Nigeria had to survive.”

Gowon’s claims have not gone unchallenged. The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, swiftly rejected the former head of state’s account, accusing him of rewriting history. The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Ikechukwu Oji, insisted that Gowon was the one who reneged on the Aburi Peace Accord. “The Aburi Peace Accord was signed and the specific terms and conditions were stated in a document that is available in the archive,” Oji said. “Unfortunately, after Gowon got home from Ghana, he was wrongly advised by some international bodies and locals not to implement the agreement that had been signed.” Similarly, a group called Rising Sun accused Gowon of distorting history, arguing that the demand for regional control of security forces was a legitimate push for justice and true federalism. “If Nigeria had followed the Aburi Accord in its true form, there would have been no war. There would have been no genocide,” the group’s statement read.

The Aburi meeting, held from January 4–5, 1967, was one of the last-ditch efforts to preserve Nigeria’s unity in the face of mounting ethnic tensions. The failure to implement the accord ultimately paved the way for the declaration of the Republic of Biafra and the onset of a brutal civil war. The book presentation attracted significant financial backing from Nigeria’s economic elite, with former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma donating three billion naira and ordering copies distributed to twenty university libraries. Industrialist Aliko Dangote contributed 500 million naira, while businessman Abdul Samad Rabiu purchased copies worth 25 million naira. Speaking at the launch, former President Goodluck Jonathan lamented that valuable chapters of West African history are routinely lost when key actors remain silent, while Catholic Bishop Matthew Kukah described the volume as an important masterclass in selfless stewardship.

How Ojukwu ‘deliberately frustrated’ Nigeria’s last peace chance before Civil War — Gowon

Sold for ₦18,000 Each, Resold for ₦76,000: Two Minors Rescued After 4 Months 

AKURE — In a harrowing case of child trafficking in Nigeria, an Akure Magistrate’s Court has heard how two minors were allegedly abducted from a riverbank in Ondo State, sold for ₦18,000 each, and forced to hawk goods on the streets of Benin City, Edo State, for four months before being rescued.

The victims — a 14‑year‑old and a 15‑year‑old at the time of their abduction in November 2025 — were later resold to another buyer for ₦76,000, the court was told. They have since been reunited with their families.

The prosecutor, Augustine Omheneimhen, told the court that the offences occurred around 9 a.m. at 1, Chama Street, Ute, in Ondo State. The two boys were playing near a riverbank when the defendants approached them and claimed their father wanted to see them in Ogbese. Trusting the men, the minors followed. Instead of being taken to their father, they were first moved to the Utesi area, where they spent a night in captivity. The next day, they were transported to Benin City, Edo State — a known hotspot for human trafficking in Nigeria.

Once in Benin City, the boys were sold for ₦18,000 each to the wife of one of the defendants’ brothers. They were given trays and forced to hawk goods on busy streets. For four months, the minors lived in captivity. For two of those months, they were separated from each other. In a shocking twist, the court also heard that the boys were later resold to another individual for ₦76,000.

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The case took a turn when the defendants contacted the victims’ parents and demanded an additional ₦10,000. That contact allowed the police to trace the boys’ location. Police prosecutor Omheneimhen noted that statements from the victims and the first defendant provided enough grounds for the court to remand the suspects. The boys were eventually reunited with their families.

The three defendants — John Ushie, 32; Innocent Ushie, 50; and Evelyn Innocent, 38 — were arraigned on charges of child trafficking, abduction, and slavery. According to the prosecutor, their offences contravene Section 369 and are punishable under Sections 369(2)(6)(7) and 362 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State. All three pleaded not guilty. Presiding Magistrate O. Lebi ordered the defendants remanded in the correctional centre in Ondo City. The case was adjourned until August 4, 2026, with a directive to transfer the matter to the Family Magistrate Court in Akure.

This case is not isolated. Child trafficking in Nigeria remains a widespread problem, driven by poverty, family breakdown, and weak enforcement. Edo State has been repeatedly identified by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) as a major source and destination for human trafficking in Nigeria, especially for forced labour and sexual exploitation. In recent operations, NAPTIP rescued 184 suspected trafficking victims in Plateau State in February 2026, including pregnant women and teenagers. In Taraba State, 10 trafficked children were intercepted at a motor park and reunited with their families. Traffickers increasingly use fake scholarships, fraudulent job offers, and claims of family emergencies to lure victims — exactly as seen in this Ondo case. NAPTIP has urged parents and guardians to warn children against following anyone, even familiar faces, without verification.

If you suspect a case of child trafficking in Nigeria, report immediately to NAPTIP via their toll-free line: 627 (Nigerian only). Your tip could save a child from forced labour, abuse, or worse.

Sold for ₦18,000 Each, Resold for ₦76,000: Two Minors Rescued After 4 Months 

Oyo Grand Chief Imam Declares Marathon Prayers Over Insecurity, Peace of Oyoland

OYO, Nigeria – Deeply troubled by the rising wave of insecurity sweeping across the nation, the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has declared a special marathon prayer programme to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Oyoland and Nigeria as a whole.

The announcement came through an official press release issued on Wednesday, 20th May 2026, from the Office of the Grand Chief Imam. The revered Islamic leader expressed profound concern over the persistent security challenges plaguing the country, with particular emphasis on Oyo State, stressing that the current situation demands both practical security measures and sincere spiritual intervention from all stakeholders. According to the Grand Chief Imam, the marathon prayers will feature Adhkaar (remembrances of Allah), Nawaafil (supererogatory prayers), recitation of the Glorious Qur’an, and special supplications dedicated exclusively to the peace and progress of the land. The spiritual gathering is designed to be a continuous session of worship and fervent prayer.

The spiritual gathering is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 26th May 2026, which coincides with the blessed Day of Arafah – widely regarded as the holiest day in the Islamic calendar. The event will take place at the Oyo Central Mosque, commencing from 12:00 PM and continuing uninterruptedly until Maghrib (sunset) time, by the grace of Allah. The prayer session will focus intensely on seeking Allah’s mercy and protection for Oyoland, Oyo State, and Nigeria at large. Special attention will be directed at the rising wave of insecurity, including fear, kidnapping, violence, banditry, and social unrest that have increasingly disrupted communities across the nation.

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In a show of reverence for traditional institutions, special prayers will also be offered for the wellbeing, sound health, wisdom, and divine guidance of His Imperial Majesty, Abdul Hakeem Abimbola Owoade I, the Elewuetu the Great. The Grand Chief Imam further called for supplications for increasing prosperity, progress, infrastructural development, and human capacity advancement across all sectors of Oyoland. In a significant political declaration, the Grand Chief Imam announced that prayers shall be made for the emergence of Oyo Town as the capital of the proposed Oyo State in the coming political dispensation, by the grace of Allah. This marks a bold spiritual endorsement of long-standing political aspirations within the community.

The Grand Chief Imam called on all stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, Ustads, Afas, community leaders, youth groups, and all meaningful Nigerians to unite in prayers and collective efforts towards restoring peace, harmony, and development to the nation. He emphasized that insecurity is a challenge that transcends religious and ethnic boundaries, requiring a unified response from all citizens. He also encouraged all Muslims to observe fasting on the Day of Arafah, describing it as one of the most spiritually rewarding days in Islam and a unique opportunity for supplication, seeking Allah’s forgiveness, and obtaining divine mercy.

Adequate arrangements, according to the Imam, will be put in place to ensure comfort and convenience for all participants throughout the programme. Security and crowd management measures are expected to be established to facilitate a smooth and focused spiritual exercise without disruptions. The Grand Chief Imam concluded by praying for Allah’s divine intervention in the affairs of the nation and for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity across Oyoland and Nigeria. The press release was signed by the Office of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, for and on behalf of Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, with the closing invocation: Wallahul Musta’aan (Allah is the One Whose help is sought) and Assalaamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh.

Oyo Grand Chief Imam Declares Marathon Prayers Over Insecurity, Peace of Oyoland