On October 7, 1967, about 1000 people, including old men, children and women were lined up and gunned down in the market at Asaba. This incident is perhaps, the worst atrocity committed during the civil war and it struck terror into the hearts of Igbo people.

After the Biafran occupation of the Midwest in 1967, advancing Nigerian troops under Gen Murtala Mohamed reclaimed Ore and Benin. Afterwards they went after retreating Biafra forces who had made a head start. The Biafrans retreated across the River Niger into Onitsha and blew up the River Niger bridge so that Nigerian forces could not continue the chase. Mohamed’s troops occupied Asaba; an Ibo speaking city in the present day Delta State. They began to install artillery in strategic positions to commence the shelling of Onitsha.

The people of Asaba welcomed the Nigerian army with mixed feelings. As soon as they occupied Asaba, the Nigerian troops and ransacked houses and killed several people accused of collaborating with the Biafrans. Many of the able-bodied men had fled across the Niger with the Biafran troops but several children, old men and women were left. The residents eventually co-operated with the Nigerian troops and declared their desire for peace.

The residents were called to assemble on the morning of October 7, hoping to end the violence through a show of support for “One Nigeria.” Hundreds of men, women, and children, many wearing the ceremonial akwa ocha (white) attire paraded along the main street, singing, dancing, and chanting “One Nigeria.” Continue reading

Odi and Zakibiam comes to mind.

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