✦ History

Nigerian Civil War

July 6, 1967 – January 15, 1970 · Biafra (south-eastern Nigeria)

Result Nigerian victory

War fought 6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970 between Nigeria under General Yakubu Gowon and the secessionist Republic of Biafra under Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, which had declared independence in 1967. Rooted in ethnic and political tensions, the 1966 coups, and anti-Igbo pogroms in the north, it ended in federal victory and massive civilian suffering, including famine deaths.

On the map Contemporaries

Nigeria

Biafra

Other

Nigeria
Egypt
Biafra
Gamal Abdel Nasser belligerent leader Olusegun Obasanjo belligerent leader Yakubu Gowon belligerent leader Murtala Muhammed military commander Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey military commander Joseph Akahan military commander
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu belligerent leader Philip Effiong belligerent leader Alexander Madiebo belligerent leader

Strength and losses

Killed
c. 45,000

Units

Egyptian Army Nigerian Army Egyptian Air Force
Ethiopian Army

Related events 1 degree away • 2 degrees away

1948
1951
1954
1957
1960
1963
1966
1969
1972
1975
1978
1981
1984
1987
1990
 
Cold War
 
Nigerian Civil War

Also involved 3