The relationship between Britain and the peoples of Southeast Nigeria has been complex, characterized by conflict and distrust during and af...
The relationship between Britain and the peoples of Southeast Nigeria has been complex, characterized by conflict and distrust during and after the colonial period. The British conquest of the region, particularly in the context of the Anglo-Aro War, which involved significant militarization, left a lasting resentment towards the Southeasterners.
The Aro Confederacy, a powerful entity in Igboland, resisted British expansion into their territory but ultimately fell after the capture of Arochukwu in 1901, leading to British control over the region. Since then, the British have maintained a level of distrust towards the people of Southeast Nigeria, whom they perceive as brave and intelligent.
The region that became Biafra was part of the Southern Protectorate, which Lugard merged with the Northern Protectorate. This amalgamation has been seen as a factor contributing to the tensions that led to the Nigerian Civil War after the declaration of Biafra's independence.
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the genocidal war, had a devastating impact on the people. The war began on July 6, 1967, and lasted until January 15, 1970. Some key events and consequences that occurred during the war include blockade and famine, humanitarian crisis, displacement and refugees, violence and atrocities, etc..
The Nigerian government imposed a blockade on Biafra, which led to widespread famine and the deaths of millions of people, mostly women and children. The blockade was a deliberate policy to weaken the Biafrans, and it's estimated that about 3 million people died from starvation and related diseases.
The Nigerian government committed atrocities, including mass killings, rapes, and kidnappings. The Nigerian army was responsible for several massacres, including the Asaba Massacre, where over 700 civilians were lined up and executed.
The war led to a massive humanitarian crisis, with images of starving children and malnourished civilians shocking the world. The international community responded with aid, but Nigeria and Britain blocked and hindered the delivery.
The question is: What led to the war?
First, there were deep-seated ethnic tensions and political instability that contributed to the outbreak of conflict. Additionally, the anti-Igbo pogroms resulted in the massacres of Igbo civilians in the North, prompting a massive exodus of Igbos back to the Eastern Region.
After the Nigerian government reneged on the Southeast's attempt to address the unprovoked massacres of their people through negotiations led by Ojukwu at the Aburi meeting in Ghana, they ultimately felt they had no choice but to declare the independence of Biafra.
What was the role of Britain in the unprovoked massacre of the Southeast region, which led to the war? Britain played a significant role in the Nigerian genocide in Biafra land. The British government supported the Nigerian government against the breakaway state of Biafra.
First, Britain's primary interest was to preserve its Oil investments in Nigeria, particularly with Shell-BP controlling 84% of Nigeria's total oil production. More than 80% of Shell-BP's operations were in Biafra's territory, making it crucial for Britain to maintain control.
They truncated the Aburi Peace Accord in Ghana by giving ill advice to the then Nigerian head of State, General Gowon. For their selfish interest, the British government advised Gowon to discard the Peace resolution in Ghana and promised to provide them with support against the Biafrans.
When Nigeria started the war, the British gave Military Support to Nigeria. Britain supplied Nigeria with weapons, armoured vehicles, and aircraft, often covertly. They also provided military intelligence and helped hire mercenaries.
Again, Britain helped with Diplomatic efforts. It focused on maintaining a unified Nigeria, with the British government advising Shell-BP not to pay royalties to Biafra, in whose state the oil was explored. This decision was driven by a desire to preserve British Oil interests and maintain influence over the Nigerian government.
Humanitarian Crisis: Despite knowledge of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Biafra, Britain downplayed the severity of the situation and ignored calls for an arms embargo. The BBC also oriented its reporting to favour the Nigerian government.
In summary, the Consequences of Britain's involvement contributed significantly to the outcome of the war, with estimates suggesting about 6 million people or even more died, primarily due to starvation. Their actions constituted complicity in that genocide. The world has widely criticized the British government's prioritization of its Oil interests over humanitarian concerns.
The British government is still at war with the Southeast people of Nigeria to date. They kick against the emergence of a president from the southeast region of Nigeria for fear of their Oil interests.
They kick against the demand for a sovereign State of Biafra by the people of southeast Nigeria.
This is the reason the British government abandoned its Citizen, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in a Nigerian dungeon for over 4 years, despite knowing that its citizen was extra-ordinarily renditioned to Nigeria from Kenya. The Kenyan government has apologized to Nnamdi Kanu and awarded him some compensation for the role they played during the kidnapping and forceful rendition.
Nnamdi Kanu has successfully won his case against the Nigerian government; he was discharged and acquitted by the Nigerian Appeal Court in October 2022. However, the British government has not considered it necessary to advocate for its citizen, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This lack of support may stem from the generational hatred they have against the people of Southeast Nigeria, who are often viewed as a threat to the decades of stealing oil from their soil.
To date, the war and killings of Southeast Biafrans have not ended. There is still a strong military presence in the Southeast, ensuring that nobody speaks against the injustice going on, nor speaks of self-determination and a Referendum.
Britain extracts our oil and purchases arms and ammunition for the Nigerian government to sustain conflict in the Southeast. Despite the concerns of the people in the Southeast gaining the attention of the United Nations and the international community, these issues have been ignored because of British interests in the oil that has been exploited for over six decades.
Written by
Nwada Udo
Edited by
Oby M
For Ebonyi State Media Team
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