Defunct Biafran Army Chief of Staff General Alexander Madiebo has died
He died at the age of 90.
A terse statement released by his family expressed sadness over his loss.
It reads. “We are sad to announce the passing of General Alexander Madiebo, Chief of Staff of the Biafran Army and the last of the 3 titans. He was 90″.
Madiebo had in an interview with Daily Sun explained the rationale for the Biafran declaration.
The elder statesman who was Zik’s ADC in 1960 is one not gifted with so much talk, but action and enticing wisdom.
During his lifetime, he spoke about the civil war, situating the reason for the conflict, the problem ahead, its solution, the struggle to restore Biafra and what Ndigbo should be doing in today’s Nigeria among other sensitive issues.
According to him: “The context under which we fought for Biafra has changed and this is a fact that our people must know. It was not Ojukwu’s intention to secede from Nigeria, but it was the circumstances of the time. It was public knowledge. In fact, the entire world was aware of the pogrom against Ndigbo in the North. Our people were being killed, pregnant women, children etc, none was spared in the killing. All genuine diplomatic efforts made hit the wall. Hope you remember the Aburi Accord and when we came back it was not honoured by General Yakubu Gowon-led Federal Government.
“Since the Igbo were being killed and faced with genocide there was no other alternative, but to seek resistance through secession. This is because you cannot be part of the country, Nigeria, and be able to protect your people from the massive killings, you needed to have your own country to secede so as to be able to acquire, secure, have access or buy arms and ammunition from other countries which will help you to protect your people, your territory from extermination.
Madiebo had in an interview with Daily Sun explained the rationale for the Biafran declaration.
According to him: “The context under which we fought for Biafra has changed and this is a fact that our people must know. It was not Ojukwu’s intention to secede from Nigeria, but it was the circumstances of the time. It was public knowledge. In fact, the entire world was aware of the pogrom against Ndigbo in the North. Our people were being killed, pregnant women, children etc, none was spared in the killing. All genuine diplomatic efforts made hit the wall. Hope you remember the Aburi Accord and when we came back it was not honoured by General Yakubu Gowon-led Federal Government.
Madiebo Narrates The Fall Of Enugu
The fall of Enugu was a military conflict between Nigerian and Biafran forces in September and October 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War which centred around Enugu, the capital of the secessionist Republic of Biafra. Nigerian federal forces had made Enugu’s capture a priority shortly after war broke out, but their advance stalled at Nsukka. Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu attempted to distract the Nigerian Army by initiating an invasion of Nigeria’s Mid-Western Region in August, but the offensive was brought to a halt. Lieutenant Colonel Theophilus Danjuma took charge of the Nigerian forces at the Nsukka front and prepared to advance on Enugu with seven battalions of the 1st Division. Enugu was garrisoned by one brigade led by Colonel Alexander Madiebo and poorly armed civilians called into service. Danjuma decided to launch an offensive with his forces spread over a broad front to make it more difficult for the Biafrans to block them along major roads as had happened up to that point.
Soludo Mourns Ex-Biafran General Alexander Madiebo
General Madiebo who is also a former Chief of Staff of the defunct Biafran Army, died on Friday, June 3, 2022, at the ripe age of 90.
In a statement on Friday to mourn the elder statesman, the Governor regretted that General Madiebo died at a time his wise counsel was needed in moving the state ahead. Soludo expressed gratitude to God that the General lived a worthy life and died at a very advanced age.
The Governor remarked; “On behalf of my family, the Government and the good people of Anambra, I express my sincere condolence on the passage of a great patriot, courageous soldier and officer gentleman, General Alexander Madiebo.
“Though we would have loved him to still be with us, we take joy that he lived a life of service and accomplishment. His contributions to nation-building and the development of his immediate environment, remain strong reference points in patriotism and nationalism.
“He put his life on the line in protecting his people when it mattered most. It is gratifying that while on the battlefields, he kept notes that enabled him to write one of the greatest books about the Nigerian civil war “The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran Civil War.
“We will surely miss his wise counsel and exemplary life of service to fatherland.”
Governor Soludo prayed to the good Lord to grant his noble soul eternal rest and the grace for his immediate family and other relations to have the fortitude to bear the pains of his exit, knowing that he led a worthy life.
Madiebo hailed from Umuokpu, Awka in Anambra State. His death was confirmed in a statement by his family saying, “We are sad to announce the passing of General Alexander Madiebo, Chief of Staff of the Biafran Army and the last of the 3 titans. He was 90.”
