Ojukwu’s exit was strategic, not an escape–Biafran veteran Esinulo

DDM News

A respected Biafran war veteran, Mr. Kanayo Esinulo, has addressed lingering misconceptions surrounding the controversial departure of Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, during the final phase of the Nigerian Civil War.

In a recent exclusive interview with renowned journalist Edmund Obilo, Esinulo refuted claims that Ojukwu fled the country out of fear.

He explained that Ojukwu’s departure from Biafra was not a flight, but a deliberate and organized strategy to protect the future of the secessionist republic.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Esinulo, who served closely with Ojukwu as a senior aide during the war, emphasized that the decision to leave was necessary, given the rapidly deteriorating situation at the time.

He stated clearly that, “Ojukwu did not run away.

“To run away means there is an obvious danger, yes, but it was organized.

“He had to leave.”

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, began on July 6, 1967, and ended on January 15, 1970.

The war was triggered by the declaration of the Republic of Biafra by Ojukwu, following the massacre of thousands of Igbos in Northern Nigeria.

The Biafran cause, which initially gained significant support from Eastern Nigerians, was eventually confronted by the military might of the Nigerian government and the international allies supporting it.

Esinulo explained that Ojukwu’s departure from Biafra near the end of the war was carried out with full awareness of the conditions on the ground.

He disclosed that there were two possible airports that could have been used for the departure Uli and Uga.

He noted that some accounts claim that Ojukwu left via Uli Airport.

However, Esinulo believes it was more likely that Uga Airport was used instead.

He explained that the Uli airstrip, a major Biafran logistics point, had become highly dangerous due to sustained airstrikes.

According to him, Uli was under heavy bombardment by Egyptian pilots who flew Soviet-supplied aircraft for the Nigerian military.

This intense bombardment rendered Uli too risky for a safe takeoff.

Esinulo’s analysis aligns with historical documentation, such as Biafra: The Making of a Nation by Arthur Nwankwo.

The book supports claims that Uga was a more viable option due to reduced enemy activity in the area.

He emphasized that Ojukwu’s departure was not an act of cowardice but a tactical move to preserve Biafran leadership in the face of imminent collapse.

The Nigerian Civil War saw immense suffering and bloodshed, with over one million people losing their lives, according to estimates by the United Nations.

Most of the deaths were from starvation, caused by the Nigerian blockade of Biafran territory.

Esinulo stressed that Ojukwu’s move was intended to explore diplomatic options abroad and find ways to continue the struggle for Biafra’s survival.

He argued that the external support Nigeria received, especially from the Soviet Union and Egypt, made Biafra’s survival extremely difficult.

Esinulo also referenced the role of global politics in shaping the war’s outcome.

He pointed out that major powers ignored Biafra’s humanitarian pleas, despite witnessing widespread suffering.

According to Esinulo, the war was not just between Nigeria and Biafra.

He described it as a war involving external forces that supported Nigeria against a region seeking self-determination.

He recalled that the Biafran leadership believed in protecting the chain of command, even if that meant the top commander had to leave temporarily.

Esinulo’s remarks echo sentiments he expressed in previous interviews and in his book In Biafra Africa Died.

In those accounts, he consistently maintained that Ojukwu’s leadership was both courageous and strategic.

He stated that history had not treated Ojukwu fairly, as many critics have misinterpreted his motives.

Esinulo reminded Nigerians and the world that Ojukwu was later granted asylum in Ivory Coast by President Félix Houphouët-Boigny.

Ojukwu remained there until he was granted a pardon by President Shehu Shagari in 1982.

After returning to Nigeria, Ojukwu remained an influential political and cultural figure until his death in 2011.

His image as a symbol of Igbo resistance and dignity still resonates with many in the southeastern region.

Esinulo urged Nigerians to revisit the facts and judge the events of the war based on truth rather than propaganda.

He stressed the importance of preserving the historical integrity of Biafra’s struggle and leadership.

The full video of the interview with Edmund Obilo is available online, with Esinulo’s remarks about Ojukwu’s exit beginning at the 6:02 mark.

His testimony provides a new lens through which the Nigerian Civil War can be re-examined.

It also reinforces the notion that history is often more complex than it appears on the surface.

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