Capture of Owerri
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The Capture of Owerri, (October 15, 1968 – April 25, 1969), was a military conflict between Nigerian and Biafran forces. The Capture of Owerri was a major victory for the Biafrans because the victory opened up telephone lines, enhanced road telecommunications, and showed that with stiff resistance Biafra could defeat Nigerian forces.
Prelude
In July 1968 the Nigerian General and commander of the 3rd Marine Division Benjamin Adekunle began making plans for an invasion of Aba, Owerri, and Umuahia in a military operation he nicknamed Operation OAU, Adekunle boldly stated that he would be able to capture all three cities in 2 weeks. Adekunle's strategy was to surround a city and starve it into submission before attacking it's weakened defenders. After a 12 days of violent fighting in Aba the 3rd Marine Division managed to capture the city on September 14, followed by Owerri on September 16. When the 3rd Marine Division was pushed back at Umuahia the Nigerians retreated to Owerri where they set up defenses in and around the city. The Biafrans made their way down the Aba-Umuahia road and managed to capture the entire road along with Aba on October 15.
Battle
On October 15, 1968, while Nigerian President Yakubu Gowon was distracted by the anti-tax riots in the west the Biafran Brigadier Alexander Madiebo encircled Owerri while a unit of Biafran soldiers attacked Nigerian supply convoys attemping to enter the city, the Biafrans were assisted by heavy rain and mud which slowed down supply convoys even further. On December 3 the Biafran 14th Division under Col. Ogbugo Kalu and 63rd Brigade under Col. Lambert Ihenacho made their way towards Owerri, capturing the villages of Eziama and Elelem. On December 5 the Biafran 60th Brigade under Col. Azum Asoya began the main assault on Owerri began in which over 50,000 rounds of ammunition, 300 mortars, 200 howitzer shells, and 20 anti-tank weapons were fired. The assault lasted for 2 days but the 3,000 man Nigerian 16th Division under Col. E.A. Etuk managed to stay in their original position, not without suffering heavy casualties. The Biafran 68th Battalion under Major Ikeji managed to gain control of a stretch of the Port Harcourt road from Owerri to the Otamiri River, establishing a link with the 63rd Brigade. On December 19 the 16th Division regrouped it's soldiers and managed to capture the town of Abiaka, followed by Avu and Afrola on December 29. On January 6, 1969 the Biafran 60th Brigade captured Umuakpu, Umuagwo, and Omanelu while the Biafran 68th Battalion under Major Ikeji seized Obinze, the 68th Battalion attempted to capture Avu but were beaten back by the Nigerian 16th Brigade. By the end of the day the Biafrans controlled much of the Port Harcourt road and began planting mines, digging ditches, and laying trees across it in an attempt to block any Nigerian re-enforcements from entering Owerri. On January 15 the Biafran 60th Brigade attacked Owerri were able to force the 16th Division to retreat across the Otamini Bridge. Instead of pursuing the retreating Nigerians the hungry and half-naked Biafran soldiers discovered the Nigerian's food and clothing supplies and decided to have their fill. The Nigerian 16th Brigade was able to regroup and made a counter-attack across the Otamini Bridge, causing the Biafrans to retreat. On January 24 the Nigerian government renewed it's offensive and began bombing Biafran positions in the area. After 5 days of continuous air-strikes the Biafrans remained in their original positions, the Nigerian government knew that Owerri was encircled and they couldn't do anything about it. On February 7 both the Nigerian Air Force and Egyptian mercenaries bombed out and completely destroyed the villages of Umohiagu and Ozu Abam which prompted accusations of deliberately targeting civilians. The government ordered the Nigerian Air Force to avoid civilian targets but they disregarded this request and continued to bomb towns and Red Cross shelters. In late February President Gowon visited the 16th Brigade in Owerri and attempted to encourage them to keep fighting until re-enforcements could be sent. On March 14 Nigerian troops attempted to capture the Omanelu-Umuakpu and Elele-Ubimini-Awarra roads but were beaten back by defending Biafran soldiers, leaving them isolated and short of food. On March 15 the Biafran S Division under General Timothy Onwuatuegwu made a frontal assault on the 16th Brigade but was forced to halt after suffering heavy casualties. General Onwuatuegwu placed half of his men under the command of Major Joseph Achuzie and were able to get within 1km of the city. Major Achuzie demanded total control of the S Division but was refused by Onwuatuegwu and the two men almost shot each other after drawing their guns. President Ojukwu stepped in and decided to give Major Achuzie control of the S Division for one week, continuing the frontal assault on Owerri. Achuzie's plan ultimately failed and was forced to retreat after suffering heavy casualties, Ojukwu then immediately restored Onwuatuegwu as commander and began drawing up new plans for invading Owerri. On March 31 the Biafran 14th Division under Ogbugo Kalu attacked Owerri and managed to secure control over 70% of the city. Biafran soldiers began intercepting radio waves that revealed the 16th Brigade was going to execute all Biafran POW's due to a lack of food. The Swedish pilot Carl Gustaf von Rosen and his "Biafra Babies" fighter squadron, consisting of six MFI-9 Junior fighters, constantly hounded Nigerian air drops, making Nigerian food supplies scarce. On April 24 the remaining 300 soldiers of the Nigerian 16th Division began fighting their way out of Owerri and managed to escape into Nigerian held territory on April 25.
Aftermath
Only two days before Owerri's capture the Biafran capital, Umuahia, fell to Gen. Mohammed Shuwa's 1st Division and the capital was moved to Aba. Once Owerri was retaken the Biafran capital was once again moved, now to Owerri. The Biafrans managed to hold onto Owerri for over 8 months until the Nigerian 3rd Marine Division, now under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, attacked and occupied the city on January 7, 1970.