Biafra

Biafra was a breakaway state in southeastern Nigeria that declared independence in 1967 and was defeated in the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.

Nigeria: Nigeria is a West African country whose southeastern region became the Republic of Biafra. Biafra declared independence from Nigeria and fought to leave it.
Nigerian Civil War: The Nigerian Civil War was the 1967–1970 conflict between Nigeria’s federal government and the secessionist state of Biafra. Biafra’s existence and defeat unfolded through this war.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was the military governor of Nigeria’s Eastern Region and Biafra’s head of state. He declared Biafra’s independence and led its government through most of the war.
Biafran famine: The Biafran famine was a severe wartime food crisis caused by isolation, disrupted production, and the federal blockade. Its images and death toll made civilian hunger central to international awareness of the war.
Nigerian coups of 1966: Two military coups in Nigeria in 1966 reshaped the federal government and intensified regional political tensions. The coups destabilized Nigeria’s government before Biafra’s secession.
Blockade of Biafra: The Nigerian federal blockade restricted land and sea access to Biafra during the civil war. The blockade cut off supplies and contributed to severe civilian hunger.
Philip Effiong: Philip Effiong was a Biafran military officer who became head of state after Ojukwu left in January 1970. He announced Biafra’s surrender and accepted the end of secession.
International Committee of the Red Cross: The International Committee of the Red Cross is a neutral humanitarian organization that assists people affected by armed conflict. Its relief operations in Biafra faced limits imposed by neutrality and access negotiations.
1966 anti-Igbo pogroms: A series of mass attacks in northern Nigeria in 1966 killed thousands of Igbo people and drove many from their homes. The killings and displacement deepened fears that helped drive southeastern secession.
Biafran airlift: The Biafran airlift was an international relief operation that flew food and medicine into besieged Biafra. Air transport became a vital route for aid through the federal blockade.

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