Chapter 4: At the War Front
The Biafran War, or Nigerian Civil War, began on July 6, 1967. In October, there was a military conflict between Nigerian forces and Biafran troops.
From my perspective, it was business as usual. I went out in quest of a job. By early September, news had circulated all around me. I remember on September 3rd, 1967, Ebuka stating to me, "Lawrence, I hope you are aware of the war?" "Which war?" I responded and left the house.
That was my last discussion with him. I was detained that same day at approximately 5 pm with seven other males. "Would you be thinking about your certificate at the same moment you are racing for your precious life?" I thought. That was how I lost my enviable driving certificate. Oh, I never lived to present my prize to my Mom. I was fleeing for my dear life. I had nothing linked to my body as I intended to flee.
Is it feasible to walk from Enugu to Bendel State on foot? We were relocated to a military camp in Enugu by the Nigerian military forces to train and prepare us for war against the Biafran army.
Would you be willing to die at this age? Are you thinking about food? How did I arrive at this point? Why didn't I listen to Ebuka? Who should I even support in this battle? Was I ready for this? So all of my intentions for my mum are ruined. If I perish on the battlefield, who would carry the word to my mom? What would my mother be filling out now? But my parents prayed for me before we patted down. My mom, my mom, my mom. Oh, my mother.
Once again, I collected my strength and encouraged myself. We were at the camp for roughly one month. I was praying, thinking, and committed to accepting life as it came. After all, it is the almighty who aids the cow that doesn't have a tail to chase its flies.
The news of the invasion of Enugu arrived on October 4, 1967. Enugu was invaded after the Biafran evacuation from the Mid-Western Area only 14 days earlier after the Nigerian 2nd and 3rd Marine Division cleared them in the region.
We were finally released from the camp with some unusual items offered to us. Holding the weapon was like learning a new job or skill. What an unprofessional and unprofitable business! An unbelievable, awful, unforeseen skill indeed.
With the gun in my hands, I recalled a request from an uncle years before I left my own town. "In any position you find yourself, do unto people what you want them to do to you," he stated. I had a stronger understanding of that advice. If you don't want to be shot, never aim the gun at anybody. This was my saving grace at the combat front with the Biafran army.
Remember, at this time, Enugu had been taken over by the Nigerian armed soldiers. When news of the invasion reached President Ojukwu in Enugu, he began evacuating his capital of both government officials and citizens, thinking they'd be slaughtered by the invading Nigerian army.
A group of Biafran troops who were stationed inside the city retreated to Ogoja but were hunted by Danjuma's army. When the two sides met in Ogoja, Nigerian artillery began hammering the city while ground soldiers rushed into the city.
Half the civilian population of Ogoja abandoned the city as a deadly house-to-house battle gained control of the city for the full day. The Biafrans were forced to escape as 300 captured Biafran soldiers were slaughtered by their Nigerian captors.
When we heard this news, I wept for the very first time. Fear of death grabbed me to the extent that the arms on me fell off. I pondered, "Is this my end?"
We were referred to as "Minor Troops." We were obliged to struggle across Nsukka, Okigwe, Ninth Mile Corner, and other areas. That was the first stage of the conflict, but as the war continued, we were relocated from Enugu to Umuahia, Ubilagwu, and Uzuakoli.
This was when I addressed the commander, who directed me to "Press the trigger". I eventually did, but targeted no one. That was how I dodged death in Enugu.