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CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR

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The International Politics of the Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970
This chapter is in the book The International Politics of the Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970
CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR 1966 January 15 First Republic overthrown by military. J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi forms military government; C. Odumegwu Ojukwu appointed governor of the Eastern Region and Yakubu Gowon becomes army chief of staff. May 24 Ironsi issues decree establishing unitary state; followed by riots in the North. July 29 Second military coup. Yakubu Gowon emerges to succeed Ironsi, who is assassinated. Late Sept./ Rioting and Ibo massacres in North; many Ibos flee to early Oct. Eastern Region. 1967 January 4-5 May 27 May 30 June 12 June July 6 July 10 July 15 July 25 July 27 August 9 August 10 August 11 August Gowon and Ojukwu meet at Aburi, Ghana. Gowon issues decree dividing Nigeria's four regions into twelve states. State of emergency declared. Ojukwu declares secession and establishment of "Republic of Biafra." Eleven civilians appointed commissioners in Federal Exec­utive Council. Federal government sends delegation to Soviet Union fol­lowing rejection by British and U.S. governments of re­quests for aircraft and arms. Fighting breaks out between Biafran and federal troops. Ogoja captured by federal First Division, commanded by Col. Mohammed Shuwa. Biafran aircraft bombs Lagos with little damage. Nsukka captured by First Division. Federal Third Marine Commando Division, commanded by Col. Benjamin Adekunle, captures Bonny ocean terminal, thus controlling access to the sea from Port Har-court. Shell-BP manager arrested in Biafra; released following month. Biafran forces invade Midwest, capture Benin, and advance to Ore in the West, thus threatening both Ibadan and Lagos. Two incendiary bombs dropped by Biafran aircraft on petrol storage tanks in Apapa with little damage. Gowon announces that what had previously been "police action" against secession is now "total war." Kaduna bombed by Biafran aircraft. Biafran aircraft bombs Lagos, causing some civilian casualties. Crated MIG-17s brought into Kano airport by Soviet Antonov-12 transports. L-29 Delfin jet trainers arrive at Apapa by sea.

CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR 1966 January 15 First Republic overthrown by military. J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi forms military government; C. Odumegwu Ojukwu appointed governor of the Eastern Region and Yakubu Gowon becomes army chief of staff. May 24 Ironsi issues decree establishing unitary state; followed by riots in the North. July 29 Second military coup. Yakubu Gowon emerges to succeed Ironsi, who is assassinated. Late Sept./ Rioting and Ibo massacres in North; many Ibos flee to early Oct. Eastern Region. 1967 January 4-5 May 27 May 30 June 12 June July 6 July 10 July 15 July 25 July 27 August 9 August 10 August 11 August Gowon and Ojukwu meet at Aburi, Ghana. Gowon issues decree dividing Nigeria's four regions into twelve states. State of emergency declared. Ojukwu declares secession and establishment of "Republic of Biafra." Eleven civilians appointed commissioners in Federal Exec­utive Council. Federal government sends delegation to Soviet Union fol­lowing rejection by British and U.S. governments of re­quests for aircraft and arms. Fighting breaks out between Biafran and federal troops. Ogoja captured by federal First Division, commanded by Col. Mohammed Shuwa. Biafran aircraft bombs Lagos with little damage. Nsukka captured by First Division. Federal Third Marine Commando Division, commanded by Col. Benjamin Adekunle, captures Bonny ocean terminal, thus controlling access to the sea from Port Har-court. Shell-BP manager arrested in Biafra; released following month. Biafran forces invade Midwest, capture Benin, and advance to Ore in the West, thus threatening both Ibadan and Lagos. Two incendiary bombs dropped by Biafran aircraft on petrol storage tanks in Apapa with little damage. Gowon announces that what had previously been "police action" against secession is now "total war." Kaduna bombed by Biafran aircraft. Biafran aircraft bombs Lagos, causing some civilian casualties. Crated MIG-17s brought into Kano airport by Soviet Antonov-12 transports. L-29 Delfin jet trainers arrive at Apapa by sea.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. CONTENTS vii
  3. LIST OF MAPS ix
  4. PREFACE xi
  5. CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR xv
  6. PART I. AN AFRICAN AFFAIR
  7. 1. NIGERIA'S PREWAR FOREIGN POLICY 3
  8. 2. THE LOSS OF AUTHORITY AT HOME AND ABROAD 29
  9. 3. THE WORLD DECLINES TO TAKE SIDES 62
  10. 4. THE OAU BECOMES INVOLVED 82
  11. PART II. THE ISSUES TRANSCEND SECESSION
  12. 5. BIAFRA PENETRATES THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM 109
  13. 6. PEACE CONFERENCE DIPLOMACY, PHASE I 142
  14. 7. PEACE CONFERENCE DIPLOMACY, PHASE II 181
  15. 8. A WAR OF ATTRITION 215
  16. PART III. ISOLATING THE CONFLICT
  17. 9. MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR NIGERIA 255
  18. 10. INTERNATIONAL REFLECTIONS OF A MILITARY STALEMATE 280
  19. 11. THE FUTILITY OF SECESSION 320
  20. 12. A NIGERIAN AFFAIR 357
  21. APPENDICES
  22. Appendix I. Schedule of Nigerian Interests in Other Countries 391
  23. Appendix II. Aid to African Countries 1960-1965 399
  24. NOTE ON SOURCES 405
  25. INTERVIEWS 409
  26. LIST OF WORKS CITED 413
  27. INDEX 419
  28. Backmatter 426
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https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400871285-003

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. CONTENTS vii
  3. LIST OF MAPS ix
  4. PREFACE xi
  5. CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR xv
  6. PART I. AN AFRICAN AFFAIR
  7. 1. NIGERIA'S PREWAR FOREIGN POLICY 3
  8. 2. THE LOSS OF AUTHORITY AT HOME AND ABROAD 29
  9. 3. THE WORLD DECLINES TO TAKE SIDES 62
  10. 4. THE OAU BECOMES INVOLVED 82
  11. PART II. THE ISSUES TRANSCEND SECESSION
  12. 5. BIAFRA PENETRATES THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM 109
  13. 6. PEACE CONFERENCE DIPLOMACY, PHASE I 142
  14. 7. PEACE CONFERENCE DIPLOMACY, PHASE II 181
  15. 8. A WAR OF ATTRITION 215
  16. PART III. ISOLATING THE CONFLICT
  17. 9. MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR NIGERIA 255
  18. 10. INTERNATIONAL REFLECTIONS OF A MILITARY STALEMATE 280
  19. 11. THE FUTILITY OF SECESSION 320
  20. 12. A NIGERIAN AFFAIR 357
  21. APPENDICES
  22. Appendix I. Schedule of Nigerian Interests in Other Countries 391
  23. Appendix II. Aid to African Countries 1960-1965 399
  24. NOTE ON SOURCES 405
  25. INTERVIEWS 409
  26. LIST OF WORKS CITED 413
  27. INDEX 419
  28. Backmatter 426
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