Throwback! Ojukwu’s Letter To Victor Banjo Commanding Him To Invade Western Region- See Details
The letter written by Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu, Commander in Chief of the Biafran Armed Forces, to Lt. Col. Victor Banjo provides significant insight into the strategies and motivations during the Nigerian Civil War. It outlines a directive for Banjo to lead an invasion to ” liberate” Western Nigeria (Yorubaland) from what was described as ” Hausa/Fulani domination. ” This correspondence illustrates the deep political and ethnic fractures that fueled the war and highlights Ojukwu’ s vision for solidarity between the Igbo- dominated Biafra and the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria.
Ojukwu begins by emphasizing the historical grievances that contributed to Nigeria’ s disintegration. He accuses the Hausa/Fulani political bloc of attempting to dominate the rest of Nigeria, citing events such as the January 1966 coup, the July 1966 counter- coup, and the mass killings of the Igbo population as evidence. He also references the struggles of the Yoruba people, particularly their resistance to perceived injustices in 1965, arguing that the Yorubas, like the Igbos, were victims of a system designed to suppress them.
The letter underscores a shared vision of freedom, justice, and equality between Biafra and Yorubaland. Ojukwu asserts that Biafra is committed to supporting any region seeking independence from Hausa/Fulani control. He acknowledges Banjo’ s dedication to the cause and expresses Biafra’ s readiness to provide military assistance to achieve the liberation of Yorubaland.
However, Ojukwu sets forth clear conditions for this collaboration. Firstly, Banjo is instructed to avoid interactions with the Military Administrator of the Mid- West Territory while passing through that region. Secondly, Ojukwu reiterates Biafra’ s unwavering commitment to its sovereignty, stressing that this partnership does not imply a desire to restore any semblance of the former Nigerian federation. He makes it clear that Biafra’ s independence is irrevocable and that no actions should suggest otherwise.
Ojukwu’ s letter emphasizes minimizing bloodshed and using limited force to achieve liberation. He reminds Banjo to prioritize diplomacy and to submit all requests for additional support in writing to avoid confusion. The directive concludes with a request for Banjo’ s formal acceptance of the outlined conditions before proceeding with the mission.
This document reveals Ojukwu’ s strategic attempt to forge alliances against a common enemy while safeguarding Biafra’ s sovereignty. It reflects the complexities of the Nigerian Civil War, where ethnic and political divisions shaped alliances and conflicts. Ultimately, the letter underscores the broader themes of self- determination and resistance to oppression that defined the war.
