Pictures of Nigerian civil war - From starving children to execution of Nigerian soldiers

Pictures of Nigerian civil war - From starving children to execution of Nigerian soldiers

- The civil war which saw the Nigerian federal troops opposing Biafra secessionist fighting for independence is estimated to have killed between one and two milllion people

- Most of the dead are said to have died from hunger and disease, from 1967 to 1970 in south-eastern Nigeria

Legit.ng in the photos below brings you images from the 30 months fratricidal war that engulfed Nigeria some 50 years ago.

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Moise, 14 (L) and Ferdinand, 16 (R), two children soldiers of the Biafran army during a discussion in Umuahia on August 31, 1968.

Moise, 14 (L) and Ferdinand, 16 (R), two children soldiers of the Biafran army during a discussion in Umuahia on August 31, 1968. AFP PHOTO/Francois Mazure
Moise, 14 (L) and Ferdinand, 16 (R), two children soldiers of the Biafran army during a discussion in Umuahia on August 31, 1968. AFP PHOTO/Francois Mazure

During the Biafran war, civilians unload a ferry that carries relief between Calabar and Oron on September 09, 1968.

During the Biafran war, civilians unload a ferry that carries relief between Calabar and Oron on September 09, 1968 / AFP PHOTO / Colin HAYNES
During the Biafran war, civilians unload a ferry that carries relief between Calabar and Oron on September 09, 1968 / AFP PHOTO / Colin HAYNES

In the photo, Biafran children can be seen sitting in a plane chartered by the International Red Cross (ICRC) and humanitarian organisation “Terre des Hommes”. The plane transported them to Libreville, Gabon, on October 02, 1968 after their evacuation from Biafra.

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In the photo, Biafran children can be seen sitting in a plane chartered by the International Red Cross (ICRC) and humanitarian organisation “Terre des Hommes”
In the photo, Biafran children can be seen sitting in a plane chartered by the International Red Cross (ICRC) and humanitarian organisation “Terre des Hommes” AFP PHOTO / Francois Mazure.

Photo of a wounded Nigerian army soldier being carried by his comrades on the pannier rack of a bicycle on December 07, 1968 in the bush at Ekim near Itu, during the war.

A Nigerian solider wounded in the neck being carried by his comrades
A Nigerian solider wounded in the neck being carried by his comrades / AFP PHOTO / Philippe CARVALLO

Below is a picture of wounded soldiers of the Nigerian Federal Army while waiting for a plane that will transport them to Port Harcourt for treatment on December 11, 1968 in Urua Inyang, during the war.

Here is a picture of wounded soldiers of the Nigerian Federal Army while waiting for a plane that will transport them to Port Harcourt for treatment
Here is a picture of wounded soldiers of the Nigerian Federal Army while waiting for a plane that will transport them to Port Harcourt for treatment. / AFP PHOTO / Philippe CARVALLO

On July 24, 1967, European families prepare to be evacuated by boat from Port Harcourt during the war.

On July 24, 1967, European families prepare to be evacuated by boat from Port Harcourt
On July 24, 1967, European families prepare to be evacuated by boat from Port Harcourt. / AFP PHOTO / Colin HAYNES

A photo of young militia women of the civil defence during a parade at a military training on August 17, 1967, in Enugu

A parade of young militia women of the civil defence during a military training on August 17, 1967, in Enugu
A parade of young militia women of the civil defence during a military training on August 17, 1967, in Enugu. / AFP PHOTO / Colin HAYNES

The photo below shows Biafran prisoners and civilians wait at the federal camp of Nakurdi on November 01, 1967 in Enugu after fightings during the Biafran war.

Biafran prisoners and civilians wait at the federal camp of Nakurdi on November 01, 1967 in Enugu
Biafran prisoners and civilians wait at the federal camp of Nakurdi on November 01, 1967 in Enugu

The photo below shows a view of the destroyed prison of Calabar on November 13, 1967 after the federal troops took the city from the Biafran rebellion.

The photo below shows a view of the destroyed prison of Calabar on November 13, 1967
The photo below shows a view of the destroyed prison of Calabar on November 13, 1967. / AFP PHOTO / Colin HAYNES

Two Nigerian federal army officers after their execution by the Biafran army, on July 02, 1968 during the war. / AFP PHOTO / Colin HAYNES

Two Nigerian federal army officers after their execution by the Biafran army, on July 02, 1968 during the war. / AFP PHOTO / Colin HAYNES
Two Nigerian federal army officers after their execution by the Biafran army, on July 02, 1968 during the war. / AFP PHOTO / Colin HAYNES

Starving children pose in a refugee camp near Aba, on August 06, 1968 during the Biafran war. / AFP PHOTO.

Starving children pose in a refugee camp near Aba, on August 06, 1968 during the Biafran war. / AFP PHOTO
Starving children pose in a refugee camp near Aba, on August 06, 1968 during the Biafran war. / AFP PHOTO

In the photo below, Nigerian federal army soldiers (R), prisoners of the Biafran army, wait to be questioned, on August 08, 1968 near Ikot Ekpene during the war. / AFP PHOTO /

In the photo below, Nigerian federal army soldiers (R), prisoners of the Biafran army, wait to be questioned / AFP PHOTO
In the photo below, Nigerian federal army soldiers (R), prisoners of the Biafran army, wait to be questioned / AFP PHOTO

Photo of civilians fleeing Aba to go to Umuahia on August 28, 1968 as the Nigerian federal troops advance toward the city during the Biafran war.

Photo of civilians fleeing Aba to go to Umuahia on August 28, 1968 as the Nigerian federal troops advance toward the city during the Biafran war. / AFP PHOTO / Francois Mazure
Photo of civilians fleeing Aba to go to Umuahia on August 28, 1968 as the Nigerian federal troops advance toward the city during the Biafran war. / AFP PHOTO / Francois Mazure

Legit.ng reported that in recent times, there has been a renewed agitation for the Republic of Biafra by members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

Nearly 50 years after the Biafran War (July 6, 1967 – January 15, 1970) which almost destroyed the unity of Nigeria, its agitators have refused to give up the struggle.

This struggle by some Igbo people to secede from Nigeria started when on May 30, 1967, late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a military officer and politician announced a breakaway of the Eastern Region under the new name Republic of Biafra.

This subsequently sparked the Nigerian civil war also known as the Biafran war. The war was between the then Eastern Region of Nigeria and the rest of the country.

The war was fought to reunify the country.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Aanu Adegun avatar

Aanu Adegun Aanu Adegun is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in both digital and traditional media. A graduate of English Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo state. Aanu joined Legit.ng in 2016 covering politics and current affairs. Aanu started his journalism career as a features writer. He once anchored some specialised pages of a national newspaper. You can reach him via - aanu.adegun@corp.legit.ng