The Council in a statement issued on Monday by its National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, said, “Gowon's cruel involvement in the Igbos genocide of 1966-1970 remains a contentious issue, with concerns about truth and accountability.”
The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), has said that former Nigerian heads of state, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) and General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd) allegedly masterminded the killing of Igbo (Southeasterners) schoolchildren during the 1967-1970 civil war.
The war was between the Nigerian military government and the South-East Biafran Nation fighters led by Late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
The OYC said in a statement that the former heads of state contributed to the political instability facing Nigeria.
The Council in a statement issued on Monday by its National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, said, “Gowon's cruel involvement in the Igbos genocide of 1966-1970 remains a contentious issue, with concerns about truth and accountability.”
Igboayaka said that Gowon should be aware that the contemporary generation of Igbo descent recognises the events of 1967-1970 not as a civil war but as a systematic genocide orchestrated by the British government in conjunction with Northern and Western political bloc, specifically targeting the Igbos.
According to the Council, “The Nigerian government under General Yakubu Gowon, aided by the British government, disregarded fundamental principles by targeting innocent civilians, including non-military spaces such as churches, schools, and markets.
“We will not soon forget the devastating bombing of Owerinta market, which resulted in the loss of over 100 civilian lives and numerous injuries.
“Additionally, Uzuakoli market and Ozuabam market in Arochukwu, Abia State, suffered similar bombings, perpetrated by Russian Air-bombers hired by Gen Yakubu Gowon, leaving civilians with severe head injuries and exposing them to scavenging vultures.
“Furthermore, Okigwe National High School was bombed, claiming the lives of innocent students and leaving many more injured, with lingering remnants of the tragedy still evident today.
“The 1967 Osowa Ogbe Asaba massacre, carefully committed by Nigeria's 2nd Division led by Murtala Mohammed, has raised a historical questions about General Yakubu Gowon's tyrannical Government, this indicate that Ibrahim Haruna and Ibrahim Taiwo were responsible for the deaths of over 700 Igbo individuals, primarily males, who were deceived into attending a gathering.”
Igboayaka said that the civil war incident remains a source of trauma for Igbo youths, noting that Gowon's deliberate involvement and subsequent denials in many media platforms will only generate significant concern both now and in the future.
He asked Gowon to provide clarification on whether 'Operation No Mercy: Shoot Everything At Sight’, was part of the war strategy, “despite the ceasefire announcement at the peak of the genocide, which involved the 3rd Marine Commando from Port Harcourt, under General Olusegun Obasanjo's command, targeting remaining civilians, and eliminated school children.”
Igboayaka said that the Mbaise region in Imo state witnessed severe violence during the conflict, “with military atrocities committed under General Yakubu Gowon's leadership and Olusegun Obasanjo's command.
“Innocent school children were reportedly attacked while returning home from school. A harrowing account involves soldiers ordering school girls to say their last prayers before being shot.
“Specifically, Miss Chinwe Ohaeri (now Prof Chinwe Obaji) survived an attack at Okpofe Mbaise, where over 100 school children were killed.
“General Yakubu Gowon needs to account for the slaughter of over 200 Biafran soldiers who reported for disarmament in Port Harcourt after the genocide, as reportedly perpetrated by forces under General Olusegun Obasanjo's command in the 3rd Marine Commando.”
He said that the current consequences and legacy of Gowon's actions during the civil war and “executed genocide” has contributed to Nigeria's current state of instability, sparking renewed calls for secession.