Chapter 05 of 17

Keeping Nigeria One - Civil War

Nigeria’s political turmoil following the military coups of 1966 led to the Civil War (1967–1970), after Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu declared the Eastern Region an independent state. The conflict claimed over a million lives before ending with the surrender of Biafran forces on January 15, 1970. The Federal Government’s policy of “No Victor, No Vanquished” helped foster national reconciliation and preserve the country’s unity. During the war, Major Shehu Yar’Adua served in the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division under Colonel Murtala Mohammed. His successful capture of Onitsha on March 21, 1968, is widely regarded as a decisive turning point in the conflict. The devastation of the war profoundly shaped his outlook, reinforcing his belief that national unity and cohesion were essential to Nigeria’s peace, stability, and development.

Military ceremonial Attire as a Major General
Military ceremonial Attire as a Major General
Welcome to Owa Kingdom by the Obi of Owa: with Generals Murtala Mohammed, Zamani Lekwot, Umaru Mohammed
Welcome to Owa Kingdom by the Obi of Owa: with Generals Murtala Mohammed, Zamani Lekwot, Umaru Mohammed
Newspaper publication at the end of the civil war – No victor, no vanquished
Newspaper publication at the end of the civil war – No victor, no vanquished
Pages from Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Personal Diary Detailing Military Operations Leading to the Capture of Onitsha (Thursday March 21, 1968)
Pages from Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Personal Diary Detailing Military Operations Leading to the Capture of Onitsha (Thursday March 21, 1968)
Pages from Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Personal Diary Detailing Military Operations Leading to the Capture of Onitsha (Wednesday March 20, 1968)
Pages from Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Personal Diary Detailing Military Operations Leading to the Capture of Onitsha (Wednesday March 20, 1968)
Generals Duba, Mayaki, Babangida and Remawa, field officers of the Second Division sharing a casual meal and a moment of discussion during a respite from active civil war operations
Generals Duba, Mayaki, Babangida and Remawa, field officers of the Second Division sharing a casual meal and a moment of discussion during a respite from active civil war operations
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with General Zamani Lekwot during the civil war
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with General Zamani Lekwot during the civil war
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (fifth from right) receiving a formal surrender of a Biafran community, with Generals Jega, Muhammed and Lekwot
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (fifth from right) receiving a formal surrender of a Biafran community, with Generals Jega, Muhammed and Lekwot
Post-War Reconstruction Framework: Newspaper publication on the federal government’s framework for reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation in the eastern region.
Post-War Reconstruction Framework: Newspaper publication on the federal government’s framework for reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation in the eastern region.
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua at conferment of “Odogwu (War Lord) of Owa” on Gen. Murtala by Obi of Owa after the libration of the old Mid-West Region
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua at conferment of “Odogwu (War Lord) of Owa” on Gen. Murtala by Obi of Owa after the libration of the old Mid-West Region
Major Shehu Musa Yar’Adua briefing frontline troops of the Second Division at Asaba before launching the strategic assault to capture Onitsha
Major Shehu Musa Yar’Adua briefing frontline troops of the Second Division at Asaba before launching the strategic assault to capture Onitsha
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with General Muhammed Jega
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with General Muhammed Jega
The Asaba Crossing
The Asaba Crossing
Newspaper publication on the capture of Onitsha during the Nigerian Civil War
Newspaper publication on the capture of Onitsha during the Nigerian Civil War
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (right) with Ukpabi Asika’s Uncle during the civil war
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (right) with Ukpabi Asika’s Uncle during the civil war
(R–L): Shehu Musa Yar’Adua with Generals Murtala Mohammed and Hassan Katsina
(R–L): Shehu Musa Yar’Adua with Generals Murtala Mohammed and Hassan Katsina
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Left) with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Left) with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) and Head of State General Yakubu Gowon during the Presentation of Medals – Officers Sports Week at the National Stadium, Lagos
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) and Head of State General Yakubu Gowon during the Presentation of Medals – Officers Sports Week at the National Stadium, Lagos
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from left) with Emir of Katsina, Kabir Usman and General Hassan Katsina on a polo pitch
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from left) with Emir of Katsina, Kabir Usman and General Hassan Katsina on a polo pitch
Sports Week: Nigerian Army, Second Division celebrating victory
Sports Week: Nigerian Army, Second Division celebrating victory
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (first from left) receiving a trophy on behalf of his team during the Officers’ Sports Week
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (first from left) receiving a trophy on behalf of his team during the Officers’ Sports Week
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (ninth from right) with fellow officers of the military hockey team
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (ninth from right) with fellow officers of the military hockey team
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Playing badminton
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Playing badminton
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua with the Officers Football team (fourth from right)
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua with the Officers Football team (fourth from right)
Army Second Division Sports Week: Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) accompanied by his son, Murtala Yar’Adua, and Commissioner of Police Tony Anenih
Army Second Division Sports Week: Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) accompanied by his son, Murtala Yar’Adua, and Commissioner of Police Tony Anenih