Abagana Ambush of March 31, 1968 was an ambush by Biafran guerrilla troops led by Major Jonathan Uchendu that wiped out the Nigerian 2 Division. During this ambush, the Nigerian Army suffered the heaviest defeat in the civil war.
Of the 5,000 Nigerian troops ambushed, only a very small number survived, including the 2nd Division's commander, Col. Murtala Ramat Muhammed. Murtala was said to have assembled and deployed a convoy of 105 vehicles which included troop carriers, fuel tanker and four armoured cars to facilitate this plan on March 31, 1968. However, the Biafran secret intelligence gained knowledge of the plan and reported it to a higher Biafran command which instantly planned a deadly ambush. A 700-man troop, led by Major Uchendu, was given a huge task by Col. Achuzie to ambush the invading Nigerian troops at Abagana in the Enugu-Onitsha highway. The unsuspecting Nigerian 2nd division, numbering about 5000 soldiers, marched on until they were halted by a surprise attack from a smaller but well-prepared Biafran army.
The Biafran army allowed the Nigerian army to march right into their midst before raining bullets on them. A locally made rocket called Ogbunigwe was crucially used during the Ambush. One of the Ogbunigwe rockets was launched directly at a fuel tanker in the Nigerian army convoy leading to chains of explosions which created a 450-metre great fire that incinerated men and metals within seconds. Refuelling vehicles exploded and burnt many infantry units. After the Ogbunigwe rocket attack, Biafran soldiers opened fire, ki||ing what is left of the shocked 2nd division of the Nigerian Army.
About 2,500 Nigerian army died in the attack; many others scampered in different directions. Col. Murtala Muhammed was relieved of duty afterwards and never commanded a division again during the war. Major Uchendu, the commander of the Biafran
Army that led the Abagana Ambush with the advice of Col. Achuzie, recounted that the sight of the 2nd division convoy almost paralyzed his troops. His boys were so anxious to start firing, more out of panic than anything else. He asked them to remain calm until he gave the order
He allowed much of the Nigerian Army convoy to pass through. His boys were shocked why he would allowed them go through into the Biafran held zone. They were nervous & suspicious, yet they trusted his military gallantry and so awaited to know his strategy.
The Abagana Ambush was the most resounding battle won by the Biafrans during the Nigerian-Biafran civil war. Abagana Ambush of March 31, 1968 is regarded as the most successful Ambush in Africa's history.
Remember no one wins from war. Souls were lost in the civil war from both sides that fought the war.
Of the 5,000 Nigerian troops ambushed, only a very small number survived, including the 2nd Division's commander, Col. Murtala Ramat Muhammed. Murtala was said to have assembled and deployed a convoy of 105 vehicles which included troop carriers, fuel tanker and four armoured cars to facilitate this plan on March 31, 1968. However, the Biafran secret intelligence gained knowledge of the plan and reported it to a higher Biafran command which instantly planned a deadly ambush. A 700-man troop, led by Major Uchendu, was given a huge task by Col. Achuzie to ambush the invading Nigerian troops at Abagana in the Enugu-Onitsha highway. The unsuspecting Nigerian 2nd division, numbering about 5000 soldiers, marched on until they were halted by a surprise attack from a smaller but well-prepared Biafran army.
The Biafran army allowed the Nigerian army to march right into their midst before raining bullets on them. A locally made rocket called Ogbunigwe was crucially used during the Ambush. One of the Ogbunigwe rockets was launched directly at a fuel tanker in the Nigerian army convoy leading to chains of explosions which created a 450-metre great fire that incinerated men and metals within seconds. Refuelling vehicles exploded and burnt many infantry units. After the Ogbunigwe rocket attack, Biafran soldiers opened fire, ki||ing what is left of the shocked 2nd division of the Nigerian Army.
About 2,500 Nigerian army died in the attack; many others scampered in different directions. Col. Murtala Muhammed was relieved of duty afterwards and never commanded a division again during the war. Major Uchendu, the commander of the Biafran
Army that led the Abagana Ambush with the advice of Col. Achuzie, recounted that the sight of the 2nd division convoy almost paralyzed his troops. His boys were so anxious to start firing, more out of panic than anything else. He asked them to remain calm until he gave the order
He allowed much of the Nigerian Army convoy to pass through. His boys were shocked why he would allowed them go through into the Biafran held zone. They were nervous & suspicious, yet they trusted his military gallantry and so awaited to know his strategy.
The Abagana Ambush was the most resounding battle won by the Biafrans during the Nigerian-Biafran civil war. Abagana Ambush of March 31, 1968 is regarded as the most successful Ambush in Africa's history.
Remember no one wins from war. Souls were lost in the civil war from both sides that fought the war.
from Nigeriastories
Igbo bu Igbo, Igbo Amaka ✊
ReplyDeleteBiko para oche
DeleteShell shocked Nigerian army troops scampered and scattered in different directions during the attack. Most of them were found muttering incorrigibly. The Biafran army troops were clinical in the ensuring mop-up operation and killed several hundreds more.
DeleteIn response less than a fortnight later, the Nigerian army undertook a most brutal reprisal targeted not at the men of the Biafran army, but rather at the civilians in and around the vicinity of the attack. It was more or less a scorching of the earth.
For the biafran army though, it was a massive morale boost and they were able to hold ground and beat back several waves of counter attacks the Nigerian army embarked on.
The Ogbunigwe was an explosive device solely developed by Biafra. It is sad that several of such developed weapons and the knowledge that was used to create them, were not further pursued at the end of the war. For anyone interested, a visit to the Nigerian war museum will give you a look at the awesome weapon that the ogbunigwe was. I believe they have one on display there.
Oh this Abagana story.🖤
DeleteThat's how families scampered into different zones.
Every family that was harbored for safety by my Paternal Grand dad and his relations became families till date. Dad and his 2 brothers were in England.
Abagana, Nimo especially, Neni and environs.
Until you are told, you'll think we're relations.
Sad memories 💔 of the Biafran war.
😭
🚶🏽♀️
If reverse was the case you would hear “war crime” “genocide”
ReplyDeleteStella, don't forget to share the story of how the Igbos were massacred, raped, villages set on fire, how they were starved to their skeletons, and how ur hero, OJUKWU, who died of Viagra overdose, escaped, and the eventual surrender of the Biafran squarels (soldiers). Make it balance pls. Shebí u wan tell tory ní🤨
DeleteAnon 18:12, you are a very sick person! God have mercy on your soul
Delete5000???
ReplyDeleteHe that laugh last laugh best ,better is the end of a matter than the beginning
ReplyDeleteLol… 🐮
DeleteHe that laugh last... What do you mean?
DeleteAbi o
ReplyDeleteHistory is beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe people celebrating this part of the story don't know what happened next.
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened next is a reaction. The intelligence to harass the sh¿t out of the bully is the point.
DeleteI love the throwback/history series. Please keep it up. Kudos
ReplyDelete