By Chief Okoi Obono-Obla
Some of the atrocities perpetrated by Biafran forces against the people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States were concealed, largely because our people are naturally peaceful.
For instance, all illustrious Ugep Son, former retired Permanent Secretary in Cross River State and academic lost his wife and four children in a single day in 1968 when Biafran forces massacred more than 10,000 people in Biakpan. Ironically, he was an officer in the Biafran Army, deployed to a different sector of the war when his family was slaughtered.
Biakpan, a large community in present-day Cross River State, is situated close to Ohafia in Abia State. Prof. Kalu Ezera, Ojukwu’s political adviser, hailed from Ohafia. The Ohafia people had a longstanding border and land dispute with Biakpan. Prof. Ezera allegedly used his position and influence to instigate Biafran forces to commit genocide against the Biakpan people.
Biakpan residents were instructed to gather at the market square under the pretense of receiving relief materials. Unaware of the sinister plot against them, the people—primarily women, children, and young adults—assembled at the designated spot. As soon as a significant crowd had gathered, Biafran forces opened fire from all directions. After the initial assault, they descended upon the defenseless community and dynamited every house.
A prominent lawyer in Calabar, now a senior advocate of Nigeria, was barely a baby when he lost his father in that massacre. This tragic event was just one of the numerous atrocities and human rights abuses inflicted upon minority groups by Biafran forces.
I urge the Government of Cross River State to build a memorial in the Biakpan community to memorize all those people that were killed on that eventful day about 55 years ago.
