Map showing the claimed territory of Biafra in June 1967 with key locations including Enugu
Date
12 September – 4 October 1967
Location
Enugu and surrounding area, Nigeria
Result
Nigerian victory
Belligerents
Nigeria
Biafra
Commanders and leaders
Theophilus Danjuma
Odumegwu Ojukwu Alexander Madiebo
Strength
7 battalions
1 brigade c. 10,000 armed civilians
v
t
e
Nigerian Civil War
1967
UNICORD
Midwest Invasion
Enugu
1st Onitsha
Asaba
Tiger Claw
1968
2nd Onitsha
Port Harcourt
Abagana
OAU
Owerri
Hiroshima
Blockade
1969
Leopard
Umuahia
1970
Tail-Wind
The fall of Enugu was a military conflict between Nigerian and Biafran forces in September and October 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War which centered around Enugu, the capital of the secessionist Republic of Biafra. Nigerian federal forces had made Enugu's capture a priority shortly after war broke out, but their advance stalled at Nsukka. Biafran president and leader Odumegwu Ojukwu, attempted to distract the Nigerian Army by initiating an invasion of Nigeria's Mid-Western Region in August, but the offensive was brought to a halt. Lieutenant Colonel Theophilus Danjuma took charge of the Nigerian forces at the Nsukka front and prepared to advance on Enugu with seven battalions of the 1st Division. Enugu was garrisoned by one brigade led by Colonel Alexander Madiebo and poorly armed civilians called into service. Danjuma decided to launch an offensive with his forces spread over a broad front to make it more difficult for the Biafrans to block them along major roads as had happened up to that point.
The Nigerians began their advance from Nsukka on 12 September. Biafran forces attempted to slow them by counter-attacking and felling trees, but within a few weeks the Nigerian forces had reached Milliken Hill and concentrated their forces. Federal artillery began bombarding Enugu on 26 September, while the Nigerian Air Force conducted raids. Ojukwu pledged to not abandon the city, but the Biafrans began evacuating on 3 October. The Nigerian forces attacked the following day, occupying the city with minimal resistance while Ojukwu narrowly escaped. Many Nigerians hoped that Enugu's capture would convince the Igbos' traditional elite to end their support for secession. While its loss did destabilize the Biafran war effort, Ojukwu relocated his government to Umuahia, and its propaganda concealed the loss of the city, meaning most Biafrans were not aware of Enugu's capture until the end of the war.
The fallofEnugu was a military conflict between Nigerian and Biafran forces in September and October 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War which centered...
Enugu (/eɪˈnuːɡuː/ ay-NOO-goo; Igbo: Énugwú) is the capital city ofEnugu State in Nigeria. It is located inland in the Southeastern part of Nigeria. In...
The fallofEnugu contributed to a brief destabilisation of Biafran propaganda efforts, as the forced relocation of personnel left the Ministry of Information...
This is a list of wars involving the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its predecessor states. Mbaise Rebellion Battles against the British 1902–1917 –...
1967. Following the fallofEnugu, a group of retreating Biafran soldiers were fighting rearguard action against a battalion of heavily armed Nigerian...
the distribution of council housing. Umuahia, the capital city of the breakaway Republic of Biafra for 18 months after the fallofEnugu, was recaptured...
Ikole Ilejemeje Irepodun/Ifelodun Ise/Orun Moba Oye Aninri Awgu Enugu East Enugu North Enugu South Ezeagu Igbo Etiti Igbo Eze North Igbo Eze South Isi Uzo...
of Aba, Ikot Ekpene, Umuahia and Owerri. After the fallof some major Biafran enclaves such as Enugu, Abakaliki, Calabar, Ikot-Ekpene and Port Harcourt...
Loco Efeeimwonkiyeke in Enugu, was a Nigerian actor, producer and director. Efe was born in Enugu State, Nigeria, the son of Arase Efeimwonkiyeke, a warder...
Scarf (2023). Born in Enugu, Enugu State, Adichie's childhood was influenced by postcolonial rule in Nigeria, including the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil...
The 2014 Enugu State Broadcasting Service Attack took place on June 5, 2014, when about 13 members of the Biafra Zionist Federation militant group attacked...
the capital city of Anambra State, Nigeria. The city was declared capital on 21 August 1991, after the creation of Anambra and Enugu state, which moved...
ethnic group in Nigeria. They are primarily found in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States. A sizable Igbo population is also found in Delta and Rivers...
states; culturally, it has included several subgroupings, including the Awka-Enugu-Nsukka, Anioma-Enuani, the Umueri-Aguleri-Anam groups, the Ngwa, the Orlu-Okigwe-Owerri...
Claws. Enugu: Nwamife. New York: Third World Press, 1973. —— (1977). The Drum. Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers. —— (1977). The Flute. Enugu: Fourth...
Pain". Nkem Owoh was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. After his primary and secondary school, he headed to the University of Ibadan and studied Engineering...
Papers of the Niger Coast Protectorate, 268 3/3/3, p. 240. National Archives of Nigeria Enugu J.R. Phillips to Foreign Office. Advising the deposition of the...
dominated by men." Flora Nwapa died of pneumonia on 16 October 1993 at a hospital in Enugu, Nigeria, at the age of 62. Her final novel, The Lake Goddess...
forest near the center ofEnugu. It hosts a limestone cave sculpted by a small waterfall that forms a shallow pool at the bed of the cave. The Ngwo Pine...
Amu-Ugwu village of Awhum town in Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. The Awhum Waterfall is formed out of a massive outcrop of granite rock...
to Enugu and Igboland's Culture and Language. igboguide.org. Starin, Dawn (2013). "Kola nut: so much more than just a nut". The Royal Society of Medicine...
Division of the 1920s to the 80s, parts of today's Awka North LGA of Anambra State and the excision of the former Uzo-Uwani LGA of now Enugu State. A...
University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Designed robes for the Presbyterian Church Choir, Uwani, Enugu. 1965 Illustrated Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart Designed...
bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State and Rivers State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The State's Capital is Awka...
auditorium capable of holding 100,000 members during special occasions. In Enugu, MFM's worship centre was judged to have been constructed illegally, and...
2022. "Enugu Review: Perfect blend of action and drama". 2 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2022. "TN rights of Arun...
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