I'm a young panafrican from the Gambia and plight of Biafran people is a special story to me and I keep saying sorry to the Igbo people. We remember your pain and suffering.
We still bleed till date. I'm a Pan-Africanist that's why I try to forget.... Though my mother lost everything in the war, she never knew her home till she passed on.
But they still want to go back to the path of war as being championed, by kanu not remembring that zik and ironsi made the secession and disintegration of nigeria defficult by exclusion of secession clause by zik in nigeria constition as requested by awolowo and amadu bello during lagos constitional conference of 1954, and ironsi's unification degree 34 of may 24, 1966.
That is a sign of weakness in the part of nigeria military, how can your fellow soldiers kill you in the battle field and you turn against civilians to revenge
Who told you they were civilians, if you don't know the rules of war you better don't talk. They might be civilians in the day and a trained soldier at night, Nigeria army are also human too, while Israel army see 7 years child as treat in Gaza.
@@olaitancreativemedia you are stupid what you just said here now defile the rules of war, it's weakness for a solider to kill a defenceless civilian. You fight against fellow soliders not against civilians especially women and children.
The Biafran conflict, also known as the Nigerian Civil War, was a tragic and brutal conflict that took place from 1967 to 1970. The conflict arose due to political, ethnic, and religious tensions in Nigeria. The people of Biafra faced significant challenges during the war, including a lack of military equipment and resources compared to the Nigerian army. While the Biafrans demonstrated resilience and determination in their fight for independence, it's important to recognize the devastating human cost of the conflict. The war resulted in widespread suffering, loss of life, and displacement of civilians on both sides "They were casualties on both sides, thousands of Nigerian soldiers lost their lives, and Biafra did too. But let's give kudos to the Biafrans for standing up to the Nigerian government and never backing down. Biafra tested war and survived; Igbos are one of the bravest and most courageous ethnic groups in Nigeria, take it or leave it. If you doubt me, I mean no disrespect. Then let the Arewa Republic or Oduduwa Republic go to war with the Nigerian government that has direct international community support. Let's all see the outcome."
Some times I would want to ask, dnt Asaba people know that they were at war?! Enugu, Anambra and imo people ran into the bushes to save there life's but Asaba people exposed themselves to be killed like chickens. The best way to escape a war is to flee or join the war, I is painful uptill now
They forgot that their brother Nzogwu killed the northern spiritual leader and it was a revenge mission for people like murtala and buhari. They thought they were going to be able to convince them that it was the igbos across that are the problem
My 92 years great granduncle fought as a Biafran soldier and the war affected his life terribly but I feel so ashamed of some Asaba indigenes who would today tell you that they are not Igbos whereas their son's action caused the war according to this man talking
His experience doesn't erase the fact that what led to the war was actually caused by someone whom his progenies are today denying the Igbo race whilst those of us who's ancestors and progenitors did not lead the coup are today suffering for the crime of those who deny their Igbo identity
When I read why we struck by Ademoyega. He said the initial coup plotters was he Ademoyega a yoruba, Emma Vancouver Ifeajuna an Igbo & Chukwuma Patrick Nzeogwu. What tribe should we call Nzeogwu since they said they are not Igbos.
@chidiebereobioma696 stop creating more division amongst the Igbo. Asaba is on the edge of igbo land sharing boundaries with the ‘great’ Benin kingdom, of course they experienced wars and temporary conquest hence the inflow of foreign people, culture mix, etc. But the indigenous people of Asaba and it’s environs are Igbos. Also, the Asaba paid the price in full during the war . The Asaba massacre, etc
That is why war should be avoided as much as possible bcos there is always room for distrust, suspicion, revenge etc and there is no way innocent would not suffer.
The massacre was inexcusable. It was a big blunder. No matter what Major Ajayi wants to make us believe about all being fair in love ans war, it is eternally wrong to fire bullets at a set of unarmed people who are not even soldiers. Worst case you terrorize them or take them captives if you feel they are spying for your enemies.
you b yoruba, be analytic, dont shoot yourSelf in d leg again...If you were major Ajayi what would u have done. His life was on d line... He has parents kids etc, yes He chose to b a soldier yet He deserves to live.
@@jesusislord2484 You want to excuse insanity on the basis of ethnicity?? I be Yoruba, so? I shouldn’t tell the truth because it hurts a fellow Yoruba man? Nah! Count me out of that bullshit. They messed up. That is the truth. Major Ajayi claimed the men and boys of Asaba were the ones signaling Biafra forces on their actual locations and probably formations and that they were only pretending to be pro Nigerian forces in the day while they actually worked with Biafran forces at night. So the best approach was to clear them all? Clear them all for spying ?? Like....they’re all guilty?? And the women who were spared couldn’t have continued that mission?? Who says it wasn’t even ladies doing the spy job initially ?? Or maybe just 2 or 3 men out of the 700 men and boys that were slaughtered?? Think ! Open your mind! You could have been the victim Major Ajayi’s defense is total bullshit
You see d way yoruba is suffering in Nigeria, it is because we think we are entitled to our believes regardless of What ever situation, im not playing d ethnic card ön u, but it was a battle, The asaba People were not better than The military officers killed åt The head quaters during The coup... We are all humans first, it was a battle, they should have chosen peace instead deciding to go into battle, so there is no personal condemnation för anybody that died during d battle, we should not get emotional över killings and all Dat happened... Yoruba are so Quick to judge and point fingers... It was war... Nobody is more innocent... Its sad, its bad but its war.
Yoruba is good at pointing fingers, depart the fact that siriki Fulani in Igangan knows is not the only one in kidnapping business in yoruba land he never point is fingers to wakili and rest in the business, sheu gumi where the herdsmen that beheaded over 70s farmers in benue State, he never point them out, he was saying don't call them bandit, they are religion fight,
Shut up. How do you leave Biafran combatants which he said were killing Nigerian soldiers to massacre civilians. And by the way, Asaba was never part of Biafra. Were they carved into Nigeria (Midwest) just to massacre them?
Obilo,are you interview or question,,,,? All we need is narrative explanations abut the war and resolute..!so let the Major feed us on how things was happened.
Were did general muritala muhammed comes in all of this! We were told that he ordered the massacred in asaba as the commander. But, I did not hear any of this in the interview. Please, someone that knows. Thanks JMO
General Murtala Mohammed was the General officer commanding the 2 division Nigeria army whose elements entered Asaba so the buck stops at his table,he should have set up an enquiry if he was unaware after all late General Adekunle that many Igbos hated for commanding 3rd Marine commando division court-martialed some officers for attempting to massacre innocent Biafrans
How can the scars healed when the war is still on today! The Nigerian states in disguised of the fulanies killing every other ethnic group in Nigeria. Put on your thinking cap. Nigeria is still at war with the Igbos.
In my opinion, l think Major E.O. Ajayi is sincere in its response to those questions . As a Soldier in the Army , you are trained and ordered to kill the enemy and their accomplices in whatever form or you get killed . There is no friendship in War because War is War . Asaba saw war because it was at a vulnerable point during the War and the Irony of War always include the civilian population. Any Military Historian will always make mention of civilian casualties or killings when Soldiers take over any town or city or village . Intelligence report of the Army and reconnaissance missions determines atimes how the civilian population is treated either as foe or friend. Warsaw in Poland and Stalingrad citizens experienced worst casualties than Asaba . The over 6 million Jews massacred at the various Nazi concentration camps in Europe during WWII were unarmed innocent civilians . The French civilians were not spared after and during the German Army occupation of France . During wars the Army often engage the civilian population as spies or informants to plan attacks on the enemy side. Asaba was unfortunately at a vulnerable point for both Armies at war . The Tragedy of War can not be quantified by any soldier alive or dead. It is easy to criticize a war and it's actors , years after , as a civilian who never saw a War . Like the Major said "don't blame anybody but blame the War". War brings out the animal nature in man in a bid to survive. The Tragedy of War . The massacre was unfortunate but it was War.
@olufemiadegbite, Major Ajayi was not sincere at all. He is not honest at all. There is no reason to justify the killing of civilians whether adults or children is a war crime. You cannot blame the war when you intentionally prosecuted the war. I think you must read Major Ajayi's countenance in his own words tells you that the massacre was planned not the consequences of "war". Major Ajayi is truly insincere or better put hypocritical attempting at his best to cover up the crimes committed against the Asaba people. Don't blame anybody but blame the war- very rethorical and does not make sense. The war was prosecuted and if it were in a reasonable man's judgement an evil , to avoid the killings of the innocent civilians untrained in military war tradition, the war could have been stopped or not even started at all in the first instance. It of course would have been more technically explained if Major Ajayi had in a somewhat remorseful manner explained that "unfortunately, the killings were unforseen and perhaps inevitable consequences of conflicts" but was not intentional. Instead, he gives justification for the killings - simply giving validity to intentional killings under the cover of "war". What question Major Ajayi would have asked himself is "would he if he was to be a part of the battalion that committed the massacre participated in the elimination of innocent souls in the circumstance of on the spur of the moment?. I would have agreed with him if he answers in the affirmative because he had no time to consider alternative action as he has a genuine and reasonable belief that the persons killed were agents of Biafran soldiers. But in his ambiguity, he gave himself up for a conclusion that the Nigerian army killed for joy. Unfortunately, Nigeria is more bitter and divided today than ever it was before the war. It was a senseless and unconscionable brutality against the East Region of Nigeria. Nigeria committed genocide of the igbos and clear war crimes.
So unfortunate to Asaba residents, they connide with the rebels and put soldiers into danger and killings in a daily basis, thus the Army has to find solution to curb the problem Wic is the asaba ppl or else they all die and we might not be on TH-cam today if they didn’t defeat the enemy
Major Ajayi is a wicked man...Evil will locate him and his family for supporting evil and atrocities melted on the people of Asaba..It was a massacre because Asaba people thought they were not Igbos which made them not be involved in the war...Asaba people even trooped out to welcome Nigerian soldiers with white clothes which symbolized peace.The main reason of the massacre was revenge of Nzeogwu's killings of Northern political elites during 1966 coup which they tagged Igbo coup..I still blame the Asaba people for the massacre because they should have participated in the war since their son Chukwuma Nzeogwu was the main cause of the war and also they should have known they were seen as Igbos by the Nigeria troops.Thanks
The style the interviewer went about his questioning of Major Ajayi wasn’t exactly a way I would feel like disclosing any critical information out to him. He allowed him to tell his experience then he now tried using that to castigate him for the 10th Battalion’s actions on the 8th of October. What if the Major wasn’t in 71 Battalion and was in the 10th, the line of questioning would’ve even gotten worse, but thankfully the Major maintained his calm and found a way of drawing him to reason realistically based on what was on ground and tempo of the conflict during that 5-8th of October 1967.
It became a very big surprise to me after watching this interview that the asaba people denies they are not Igbos. The fulanies and their northern cabals sees you as an Igbo forever. You are like a tree without roots when you don’t know your history. JMO
Asaba don't deny with this ika and agbor although small portion of them are you aware that igbanke in edo till today identify as igbo and there are close to agbor and ika
Even when the man who fought the war was evasive and frugal with truth. If you watched the full interview, you would literally see him overburdened by guilt. If I knew Major Ajayi, I would encourage him to come clean and have the peace of mind that he desperately needs.
These are casualties of a guerrilla warfare, where opponents wore no identifiable uniforms, nevertheless engaged in deceptive espionage. War is a terrible business.
Interviewer is so amateur, he came with his view and refused to see nor listen to the other side, the massacre happened and will forever be part of our history
You can see the prejudice of the interviewer... The hatred, anger is quite visible... Were you there? The first casualty of war is the truth. No matter how civilized we claim to be war brings out the beast in us... See Russia-Ukraine war... I am not proud of any massacre it's a war crime. But when you see corpses of friends killed with guerilla tactics day in day out it has a toll on our mental stability as humans. We see a lot of the dots but we fail to investigate the lines that connects them. This is why we carry the hatred of our fathers errors up till today...
You guys should shut d fuck up. If it were ur people that was massacred will u be happy? This man is from asaba and am sure is home encountered some losses well i m not surprised seeing ur name I already know where ur comment is coming from
Unfortunately, you are not objective. He asked a simple question about "massacre" which the major was trying to cover. There could be collateral damages during war,which is understandable, but the interviewer succeeded in showing that the massacre was planned and deliberate. The major wanted to brush aside the killing of innocent people as just one of those things. No one will question them if all the asaba men or children were killed during a gun duel. I'm sure you'd say the same thing if Biafran soldiers had come to ikenne, gathered all the old unarmed men and children, killed all of them, claiming their link to Awolowo and blaming the war. Does it even make sense?
@@Zanjero234 unfortunately I was following your logic until the last few lines then it became dabarutious. I haven't said anything that is not objective... You should watch the interview of one of the Biafra boys then... He talked about them using guerilla tactics on the Nigerians and he said it with pride... You should blame the Biafran government for putting guns in the hands of children... Did you read about the atrocities of the Biafran soldiers especially towards the ones they call 2nd class Igbo citizens? You brought in Awolowo I guess you are the one not objective... All those you had their money in the Nigerian currency got their money back... It was those who had all their money converted to the Biafran currency that were given 20 Nigerian pounds to restart life... Biafra lost the war their currency was no longer a legal tender, it was zero on the FX exchange... So if you had a million Biafra pounds it was zero to the Nigerian currency or any other currency... Have you asked yourself, if their currency was worth anything why didn't they convert it to the dollar or the British pounds... It is sad that Nigeria had to go through the civil war. But when you talk of atrocities both sides committed it because the rule of engagement at that time was quite different from our time... Talk of the Ikwere mass rape perpetuated by the Biafran soldiers during the early years of the war... Why did Biafra loose the support of the Deltans, Calabars and other ethnic group that made up or were forced into Biafra... I guess the one who is not objective is you my brother.
They massacred those civilians because their people were formidable in the Biafran army, but civilians are civilians. Now following logic, will guerilla fighters go about mobilising their kinsmen to report at their town square, from clan to clan to dance for their enemies. His words cannot be taken to be gospel. Thank God for taking care of Murtala
Things happen in war that bears consequences, Major Ajayis account nearly tallies with Brig.Gen Isamas, it's obvious that the Hausa soldiers came with blood in their eyes looking for vengeance, but karma took care of the aftermath even if the world looked away, Taiwo and Muritala got served las las
It is disappointing how he has forced himself to think this way. Even at his age, where he should naturally be making peace with his past while purging his soul.
My uncle was electrocuted in Asaba. Till my Grandfather died in 2014 he never struck his name out of the family register. He always says he's coming back. After the war it was Benjamin Adekunle who helped the family to pinpoint my uncle was among the people electrocuted in Asaba.
Sometimes it's hard to believe that these evil ever happened and till date peace is far from sight... Because some people never moved on and they will never forget..
My brother Nigeria will know no sleep, because she has murdered sleep. 1970 is better than 1980. 1980 is better than 1990, 1990 is better than 2000. 2000 is better than 2010 and 2010 is better than 2020. Now indigenous peoples are murdered and sacked by foreigners daily while the government supervises and arms them.
You sometimes We become too quick to jurge. the man admited to the massacre, but the interview was based On civil paspective. Above all He said blame the WAR.
The Nigerian soldiers committed war crimes against the people of Asaba. The civilians were not armed. So it is not simply soldiers against soldiers or "war is war." This baba is telling lies in his old age. It is now for him a matter of belief and not the fact of what happened. It is unfortunate that in the closing years of his life, he is still in malice with the truth. Will Nigeria ever be a safe place?
God knows there shouldn't be any war in Nigeria if General Ironsi could have allowed those five majors I mean Ifeajuna, Nzeogwu and others corrected the silly mistake of Nnamdi Azikiwe who sells the whole Southern Regions to the North but Ironsi didn't understand the power politics enough and the result is where Nigeria is today. As for Asaba massacre, there's no paddy for jungle, Friendship during the day and Enemy at night, Omo anything can happen.
I used to reason this way until I read further. I am an Igboman who detest that first coup and Zik but why was Kaduna Nzeogwu given a state burial but Ironsi who did not partake in the coup and even imprisoned the coup plotters was killed recklessly?
The interviewer is obviously not interviewing, he’s more emotional than professional. I’m sure he wasn’t born then, all he had to do was hear what happened from the man who was in the situation
How can u be asking a question and answering it?let him talk don’t put words in he’s mouth..secondly how can the full asaba be the brothers n sisters of ezeogu
Its not true, these was nothing like Chinese guns back then...nothing !( He was an nco back then....(a small boy) Biafra soldiers used mark 4 by barreta, G2 rifles and Aks they recovered from Nigerian army personnel. .. Biafrans had no assault.
Do you know what the Biafra did to civilians in middle west now Edo state I as a child was held captive with my late mother in a peaceful community that even welcomed the soldiers in all the killed up ten persons including a Brest feeding mother. Not to mention the countless cases of rape and abuse of my people they were all civilians the same thing happened in other localities around my place. Someone one is here wiping sentiment. This is why we should always try to avoid war.
Urohnigbe is in orhiomwon local government area of edo state we still have a very larg ibo community I belive some of the old ibo Generation knew of this. Urhonigbe is along Agbor - Abraka high way.
The interviewer has a stand view on the topic being discussed therefore those not see any point from the statement of the interviewee. Instead of blaming Ojukwu for that war, they choose the part of propaganda as usual.
On this massacre story, I believe the account of Brig. Alabi-Isama xos his father was from Ukwani, a Delta Ibo town. He claimed in an interview that before the federal army got to Asaba, nearly all the Hausa living in Ogbe Hausa in Asaba had been killed. He said when the northern troops got there, it was natural that they took revenge.
Why are all these alternate accounts always coming from the southwestern apologists,the so-called massacre of hausas had never been mentioned by any official accounts.but the most shameful and gory thing is the attack on noncombatants (old men and children)and this old man 's excuse is that they(the victims) were singing**what kind of singing is that??*** Imagine The rules of engagement was stipulated and ratified by the UN for this same reasons to protect the noncombatants, I pray that in the after life he should be put in a room with the souls of the people that he and his comrades murdered so he can tell them War is war.
Ajayi's attempt to rationalize and excuse the massacre was not successful. The Asaba massacre was a classic war crime. Those responsible should have been tried accordingly. It was poetic justice that the commander of the killers would be beheaded many years after. Karma is real.
Allow the man to speak his mind, and stop trying to craft his story to suite your predetermined narrative. The purpose of an interview is primarily to extract information, after which you can separate fact from fiction, and not to impose your thoughts/belief on your guest, or try to put him on a guilt trip.
Baba has spoken well, igbos wants to kill Nigerian and Nigeria defended itself? The interviewer is aggressive and arguementative, and his prejudice - hatred and anger is visible and obvious. Hope the interviewer and igbos dont start what they cannot finish again.
The interviewer is very unprofessional, you need to put sentiment aside and do your job if you are trained, you are talking to the ,man as if he gave the command for the massacre
Mr interviewer don't be stupid😂😂😂.... I see what you were trying to do there... Trying to play mind games 😂... It was a war so what did you expect... An eye for an eye they say
There are humanitarian laws that guide how wars are fought. The belligerents should fight and leave out the civilians Anything that causes the death of civilians with wasn't inadvertent is against the humanitarian laws
Your Major Emmanuel Ajayi is an ruthless liar. I will regard him as a field major not a trained Major. They thought every human being from Asaba is a blood relation of Chukwuma Nzuogu. The idiot who did the massacre from Asaba to Onitsha was killed by Dimka, Murtala Muhammed. Your major Emmanuel is very deceitful. No, the most talented Biafran soldier is from Asaba yes by name, Achuzia "Air raid". They killed so many innocent people in Asaba. In all he is hiding the truth to get an advantage. NOTE: War is not good.
The Igbo dragged Asaba info war but let the people to their fate but everywhere in actual Igbo land they stayed tight to depend. What a tribalistic specie.
If you weren't stupid, you would have realized that Nzeogwu the main mastermind and alleged coup plotter was from Okpanam about 5mins from Asaba and of the main 4 majors who planned that coup ,none were from the Eastern heartland,so , common sense should tell you that the igbos were dragged into a War and not the other way around ,but then again you can believe anything you like,I bet nothing can change your Condition.
Mr Emmanuel Ajayi, I hope you will make peace with your maker before departing this earth. Your reaction and rather lame excuses for the massacre you committed with your comrades in Asaba is no different from what the Nazis did at the Nuremberg trials after WWII. Men love to hide behind obeying orders to commit foul crimes or to dig up excuses and in some cases label the enemy with crimes for why they though unarmed must be killed. In Rwanda, the Hutu called the Tutsi cockroaches in order to justify killing them. I hope you read my comment. I shall be praying that you repent and come to that place where you will see the enormity of the evil you participated in. It is never too late because our Lord and God can forgive so long as we come sorrowfully to acknowledge our sins. You have been lucky that Nigeria's war crimes never went to the ICC. Perhaps one day go to Asaba and find even one family that you hurt to beg for their forgiveness. Do not let the door of eternity close upon you without doing this.
I'm a young panafrican from the Gambia and plight of Biafran people is a special story to me and I keep saying sorry to the Igbo people.
We remember your pain and suffering.
We still bleed till date. I'm a Pan-Africanist that's why I try to forget.... Though my mother lost everything in the war, she never knew her home till she passed on.
Thank you my concerned brother... It is well
Very stupid interviewer
They were victimisers as well
But they still want to go back to the path of war as being championed, by kanu not remembring that zik and ironsi made the secession and disintegration of nigeria defficult by exclusion of secession clause by zik in nigeria constition as requested by awolowo and amadu bello during lagos constitional conference of 1954, and ironsi's unification degree 34 of may 24, 1966.
God bless you Obilo. You are doing something small but great and will live after you.
That is a sign of weakness in the part of nigeria military, how can your fellow soldiers kill you in the battle field and you turn against civilians to revenge
Exactly what they have been doing till today. Weak cowards
Who told you they were civilians, if you don't know the rules of war you better don't talk. They might be civilians in the day and a trained soldier at night, Nigeria army are also human too, while Israel army see 7 years child as treat in Gaza.
@@olaitancreativemedia you are stupid what you just said here now defile the rules of war, it's weakness for a solider to kill a defenceless civilian. You fight against fellow soliders not against civilians especially women and children.
@@olaitancreativemedia
Very good point. You are a great thinker.
@@olaitancreativemedia Shut sir, respectfully you're talking rubbish.
The Biafran conflict, also known as the Nigerian Civil War, was a tragic and brutal conflict that took place from 1967 to 1970. The conflict arose due to political, ethnic, and religious tensions in Nigeria. The people of Biafra faced significant challenges during the war, including a lack of military equipment and resources compared to the Nigerian army. While the Biafrans demonstrated resilience and determination in their fight for independence, it's important to recognize the devastating human cost of the conflict. The war resulted in widespread suffering, loss of life, and displacement of civilians on both sides "They were casualties on both sides, thousands of Nigerian soldiers lost their lives, and Biafra did too. But let's give kudos to the Biafrans for standing up to the Nigerian government and never backing down. Biafra tested war and survived; Igbos are one of the bravest and most courageous ethnic groups in Nigeria, take it or leave it. If you doubt me, I mean no disrespect. Then let the Arewa Republic or Oduduwa Republic go to war with the Nigerian government that has direct international community support. Let's all see the outcome."
Some times I would want to ask, dnt Asaba people know that they were at war?! Enugu, Anambra and imo people ran into the bushes to save there life's but Asaba people exposed themselves to be killed like chickens. The best way to escape a war is to flee or join the war, I is painful uptill now
It’s the same mentality we see being exhibited by many Igbo communities in SS geopolitical zone.
They forgot that their brother Nzogwu killed the northern spiritual leader and it was a revenge mission for people like murtala and buhari. They thought they were going to be able to convince them that it was the igbos across that are the problem
And yet the IGBOS are now tsking the glory whereas the real tigers of the civil war were the Asaba people. Col Moses Achuzie was from Asaba .
@@Ekundayo-ce5el .. I don't understand , what do you mean ?
My 92 years great granduncle fought as a Biafran soldier and the war affected his life terribly but I feel so ashamed of some Asaba indigenes who would today tell you that they are not Igbos whereas their son's action caused the war according to this man talking
What was his experoence
His experience doesn't erase the fact that what led to the war was actually caused by someone whom his progenies are today denying the Igbo race whilst those of us who's ancestors and progenitors did not lead the coup are today suffering for the crime of those who deny their Igbo identity
@@chidiebereobioma696this is the saddest part of it; their denial. Yet those outside would never cease to see them as IGBOS.
When I read why we struck by Ademoyega. He said the initial coup plotters was he Ademoyega a yoruba, Emma Vancouver Ifeajuna an Igbo & Chukwuma Patrick Nzeogwu. What tribe should we call Nzeogwu since they said they are not Igbos.
@chidiebereobioma696 stop creating more division amongst the Igbo. Asaba is on the edge of igbo land sharing boundaries with the ‘great’ Benin kingdom, of course they experienced wars and temporary conquest hence the inflow of foreign people, culture mix, etc. But the indigenous people of Asaba and it’s environs are Igbos. Also, the Asaba paid the price in full during the war . The Asaba massacre, etc
That is why war should be avoided as much as possible bcos there is always room for distrust, suspicion, revenge etc and there is no way innocent would not suffer.
The massacre was inexcusable. It was a big blunder.
No matter what Major Ajayi wants to make us believe about all being fair in love ans war, it is eternally wrong to fire bullets at a set of unarmed people who are not even soldiers.
Worst case you terrorize them or take them captives if you feel they are spying for your enemies.
you b yoruba, be analytic, dont shoot yourSelf in d leg again...If you were major Ajayi what would u have done. His life was on d line... He has parents kids etc, yes He chose to b a soldier yet He deserves to live.
@@jesusislord2484 You want to excuse insanity on the basis of ethnicity?? I be Yoruba, so? I shouldn’t tell the truth because it hurts a fellow Yoruba man? Nah! Count me out of that bullshit.
They messed up. That is the truth.
Major Ajayi claimed the men and boys of Asaba were the ones signaling Biafra forces on their actual locations and probably formations and that they were only pretending to be pro Nigerian forces in the day while they actually worked with Biafran forces at night. So the best approach was to clear them all?
Clear them all for spying ?? Like....they’re all guilty?? And the women who were spared couldn’t have continued that mission?? Who says it wasn’t even ladies doing the spy job initially ?? Or maybe just 2 or 3 men out of the 700 men and boys that were slaughtered??
Think !
Open your mind!
You could have been the victim
Major Ajayi’s defense is total bullshit
You see d way yoruba is suffering in Nigeria, it is because we think we are entitled to our believes regardless of What ever situation, im not playing d ethnic card ön u, but it was a battle, The asaba People were not better than The military officers killed åt The head quaters during The coup... We are all humans first, it was a battle, they should have chosen peace instead deciding to go into battle, so there is no personal condemnation för anybody that died during d battle, we should not get emotional över killings and all Dat happened... Yoruba are so Quick to judge and point fingers... It was war... Nobody is more innocent... Its sad, its bad but its war.
If u are major Ajayi and u are in the army u I'll allow ur spy enemy to leave, so u can die for them in the war front
Yoruba is good at pointing fingers, depart the fact that siriki Fulani in Igangan knows is not the only one in kidnapping business in yoruba land he never point is fingers to wakili and rest in the business, sheu gumi where the herdsmen that beheaded over 70s farmers in benue State, he never point them out, he was saying don't call them bandit, they are religion fight,
God bless you for good journalism, this old man is economy with the truth. Biafra is coming..
In your 5 eastern state
Even one state@@gentlemanedotv
@@gentlemanedotv Lol, so you'll wipe out people in Delta Igbo.
Please is this man still alive now
The man is well educated I can see the interviewer is in pain 😅 to call the war in asaba masaca
Educated? So you can't see how he was evading the obvious.
He couldn't explain why it's not a Massacre.
@@Zanjero234 how he couldn’t explain it it a war they dey xpose dem to biafra and that is why it lead to the massacre
The man lied... If you think it was right why did gowon apologize for the killing.
Shut up. How do you leave Biafran combatants which he said were killing Nigerian soldiers to massacre civilians. And by the way, Asaba was never part of Biafra. Were they carved into Nigeria (Midwest) just to massacre them?
Please leave the old man alone he cannot explain
Obilo,are you interview or question,,,,? All we need is narrative explanations abut the war and resolute..!so let the Major feed us on how things was happened.
I have search very hard for the fuller version of this interview but can't find it
Were did general muritala muhammed comes in all of this! We were told that he ordered the massacred in asaba as the commander. But, I did not hear any of this in the interview. Please, someone that knows. Thanks JMO
General Murtala Mohammed was the General officer commanding the 2 division Nigeria army whose elements entered Asaba so the buck stops at his table,he should have set up an enquiry if he was unaware after all late General Adekunle that many Igbos hated for commanding 3rd Marine commando division court-martialed some officers for attempting to massacre innocent Biafrans
This is a bad old man that don't want to say the truth
They massacred the people of Asaba and other Biafrans, the act of inviting generations and massacre them, is an act of genocide
GOD WILL AVENGE
Thank you
They massacre both the young and old innocent people that were holding their use less flag and were singing "one Nigeria". It's genocide bro
Asaba,we are sorry,may the Almighty heal the scars of the asaba pple
How can the scars healed when the war is still on today! The Nigerian states in disguised of the fulanies killing every other ethnic group in Nigeria. Put on your thinking cap. Nigeria is still at war with the Igbos.
I do not think Adaba can recover. I think till today, there is still disparity between Men and Women as the Men were mostly killed
In my opinion, l think Major E.O. Ajayi is sincere in its response to those questions . As a Soldier in the Army , you are trained and ordered to kill the enemy and their accomplices in whatever form or you get killed . There is no friendship in War because War is War . Asaba saw war because it was at a vulnerable point during the War and the Irony of War always include the civilian population.
Any Military Historian will always make mention of civilian casualties or killings when Soldiers take over any town or city or village . Intelligence report of the Army and reconnaissance missions determines atimes how the civilian population is treated either as foe or friend.
Warsaw in Poland and Stalingrad citizens experienced worst casualties than Asaba .
The over 6 million Jews massacred at the various Nazi concentration camps in Europe during WWII were unarmed innocent civilians . The French civilians were not spared after and during the German Army occupation of France .
During wars the Army often engage the civilian population as spies or informants to plan attacks on the enemy side. Asaba was unfortunately at a vulnerable point for both Armies at war . The Tragedy of War can not be quantified by any soldier alive or dead. It is easy to criticize a war and it's actors , years after , as a civilian who never saw a War .
Like the Major said "don't blame anybody but blame the War".
War brings out the animal nature in man in a bid to survive.
The Tragedy of War . The massacre was unfortunate but it was War.
@olufemiadegbite, Major Ajayi was not sincere at all. He is not honest at all. There is no reason to justify the killing of civilians whether adults or children is a war crime. You cannot blame the war when you intentionally prosecuted the war. I think you must read Major Ajayi's countenance in his own words tells you that the massacre was planned not the consequences of "war". Major Ajayi is truly insincere or better put hypocritical attempting at his best to cover up the crimes committed against the Asaba people. Don't blame anybody but blame the war- very rethorical and does not make sense. The war was prosecuted and if it were in a reasonable man's judgement an evil , to avoid the killings of the innocent civilians untrained in military war tradition, the war could have been stopped or not even started at all in the first instance. It of course would have been more technically explained if Major Ajayi had in a somewhat remorseful manner explained that "unfortunately, the killings were unforseen and perhaps inevitable consequences of conflicts" but was not intentional. Instead, he gives justification for the killings - simply giving validity to intentional killings under the cover of "war". What question Major Ajayi would have asked himself is "would he if he was to be a part of the battalion that committed the massacre participated in the elimination of innocent souls in the circumstance of on the spur of the moment?. I would have agreed with him if he answers in the affirmative because he had no time to consider alternative action as he has a genuine and reasonable belief that the persons killed were agents of Biafran soldiers. But in his ambiguity, he gave himself up for a conclusion that the Nigerian army killed for joy.
Unfortunately, Nigeria is more bitter and divided today than ever it was before the war. It was a senseless and unconscionable brutality against the East Region of Nigeria. Nigeria committed genocide of the igbos and clear war crimes.
So unfortunate to Asaba residents, they connide with the rebels and put soldiers into danger and killings in a daily basis, thus the Army has to find solution to curb the problem Wic is the asaba ppl or else they all die and we might not be on TH-cam today if they didn’t defeat the enemy
Both Asaba , Stalingrad,Warsaw and the Jews massacre are war crimes.am a Soldier also
A Yoruba man supporting his Yoruba brothers involvement in massacre of innocent igbo civilians in Asaba. Continue your show of shame
the war has not ended yet
100% correct.
It hasnt
Major Ajayi is a wicked man...Evil will locate him and his family for supporting evil and atrocities melted on the people of Asaba..It was a massacre because Asaba people thought they were not Igbos which made them not be involved in the war...Asaba people even trooped out to welcome Nigerian soldiers with white clothes which symbolized peace.The main reason of the massacre was revenge of Nzeogwu's killings of Northern political elites during 1966 coup which they tagged Igbo coup..I still blame the Asaba people for the massacre because they should have participated in the war since their son Chukwuma Nzeogwu was the main cause of the war and also they should have known they were seen as Igbos by the Nigeria troops.Thanks
Asaba people are igbos na
@@peteronwuakpa7855 when did they agreed to be igbo??
What goes around comes around. What you wish on others usually comes back to you and your kids. It's God's laws.
The style the interviewer went about his questioning of Major Ajayi wasn’t exactly a way I would feel like disclosing any critical information out to him.
He allowed him to tell his experience then he now tried using that to castigate him for the 10th Battalion’s actions on the 8th of October.
What if the Major wasn’t in 71 Battalion and was in the 10th, the line of questioning would’ve even gotten worse, but thankfully the Major maintained his calm and found a way of drawing him to reason realistically based on what was on ground and tempo of the conflict during that 5-8th of October 1967.
Please leave the old man alone he cannot defend himself
Even at his age he still find it difficult to admit that it was a pay back… Nigeria won’t have peace until they tell Biafrans to go
Nobody is tying you down guys go back to your villages and never come back 😂😂😂
I want you to interview Bridgadier Alabi Isalla.
That yeye man ALabi Isama is from my village, Utagba Uno, the man that worked against his own people
That man is economical with words as an old army He will not tell you truth
Then, you tell us the truth since you know the truth more than he does about the war.
A really tragic event in d history of Nigeria 😢😢😢
"Dont blame anybody, blame the war"...Major Emmanuel Ajayi(Rtd)
Very poor interviewer... sentimental and myopic...
It became a very big surprise to me after watching this interview that the asaba people denies they are not Igbos. The fulanies and their northern cabals sees you as an Igbo forever. You are like a tree without roots when you don’t know your history. JMO
Asaba don't deny with this ika and agbor although small portion of them are you aware that igbanke in edo till today identify as igbo and there are close to agbor and ika
He is arguing with a man who fought the war by reading from a book written by another person who has his own perspective.
Its only u that didnt hear the history.. Nonsense
Even when the man who fought the war was evasive and frugal with truth.
If you watched the full interview, you would literally see him overburdened by guilt.
If I knew Major Ajayi, I would encourage him to come clean and have the peace of mind that he desperately needs.
These are casualties of a guerrilla warfare, where opponents wore no identifiable uniforms, nevertheless engaged in deceptive espionage. War is a terrible business.
Interviewer is so amateur, he came with his view and refused to see nor listen to the other side, the massacre happened and will forever be part of our history
What other side of the story, stop saying nonsense fool
Thank you. That’s Nigeria problem. People do not have open mind and that’s why their nation can’t progress
Interviewer could have been better
You can see the prejudice of the interviewer... The hatred, anger is quite visible...
Were you there? The first casualty of war is the truth. No matter how civilized we claim to be war brings out the beast in us... See Russia-Ukraine war... I am not proud of any massacre it's a war crime. But when you see corpses of friends killed with guerilla tactics day in day out it has a toll on our mental stability as humans.
We see a lot of the dots but we fail to investigate the lines that connects them. This is why we carry the hatred of our fathers errors up till today...
Thought I was the only one that observed it
You guys should shut d fuck up. If it were ur people that was massacred will u be happy?
This man is from asaba and am sure is home encountered some losses well i m not surprised seeing ur name I already know where ur comment is coming from
Unfortunately, you are not objective. He asked a simple question about "massacre" which the major was trying to cover.
There could be collateral damages during war,which is understandable, but the interviewer succeeded in showing that the massacre was planned and deliberate.
The major wanted to brush aside the killing of innocent people as just one of those things.
No one will question them if all the asaba men or children were killed during a gun duel.
I'm sure you'd say the same thing if Biafran soldiers had come to ikenne, gathered all the old unarmed men and children, killed all of them, claiming their link to Awolowo and blaming the war.
Does it even make sense?
@@Zanjero234 unfortunately I was following your logic until the last few lines then it became dabarutious.
I haven't said anything that is not objective... You should watch the interview of one of the Biafra boys then... He talked about them using guerilla tactics on the Nigerians and he said it with pride...
You should blame the Biafran government for putting guns in the hands of children... Did you read about the atrocities of the Biafran soldiers especially towards the ones they call 2nd class Igbo citizens?
You brought in Awolowo I guess you are the one not objective...
All those you had their money in the Nigerian currency got their money back... It was those who had all their money converted to the Biafran currency that were given 20 Nigerian pounds to restart life...
Biafra lost the war their currency was no longer a legal tender, it was zero on the FX exchange... So if you had a million Biafra pounds it was zero to the Nigerian currency or any other currency...
Have you asked yourself, if their currency was worth anything why didn't they convert it to the dollar or the British pounds...
It is sad that Nigeria had to go through the civil war. But when you talk of atrocities both sides committed it because the rule of engagement at that time was quite different from our time...
Talk of the Ikwere mass rape perpetuated by the Biafran soldiers during the early years of the war...
Why did Biafra loose the support of the Deltans, Calabars and other ethnic group that made up or were forced into Biafra...
I guess the one who is not objective is you my brother.
They massacred those civilians because their people were formidable in the Biafran army, but civilians are civilians. Now following logic, will guerilla fighters go about mobilising their kinsmen to report at their town square, from clan to clan to dance for their enemies. His words cannot be taken to be gospel. Thank God for taking care of Murtala
This man is saying this because the ICC wasn’t established then or else all of una with some Biafra soldiers for dey jail.
Things happen in war that bears consequences, Major Ajayis account nearly tallies with Brig.Gen Isamas, it's obvious that the Hausa soldiers came with blood in their eyes looking for vengeance, but karma took care of the aftermath even if the world looked away, Taiwo and Muritala got served las las
That war continue from God till end 🔚 time series seriously issues I pity East very seriously God will healed them all
They did that to remind Asaba that they are Biafrans and not Nigeria...
Deception is in Nigeria blood for ages unending
See talk
It is disappointing how he has forced himself to think this way. Even at his age, where he should naturally be making peace with his past while purging his soul.
That is what bafles me,the man feel no remorse
My uncle was electrocuted in Asaba. Till my Grandfather died in 2014 he never struck his name out of the family register. He always says he's coming back. After the war it was Benjamin Adekunle who helped the family to pinpoint my uncle was among the people electrocuted in Asaba.
Bullets are what one might expect in a war zone, but electrocution I don't understand. Please explain.
@@abdul-kabiralegbe5660the Biafrans set an ambush with live wires!
@@OkanlawonOyekemi Wow!
What goes around comes around! The same thing happened in Lekki toll gate.
Now I understand why the Asaba massacre happened.
Pls allow the Man to tallk bro thanks
Sometimes it's hard to believe that these evil ever happened and till date peace is far from sight... Because some people never moved on and they will never forget..
My brother Nigeria will know no sleep, because she has murdered sleep. 1970 is better than 1980. 1980 is better than 1990, 1990 is better than 2000. 2000 is better than 2010 and 2010 is better than 2020. Now indigenous peoples are murdered and sacked by foreigners daily while the government supervises and arms them.
Anioma state ooo.
I don't blame anyone is the War
There's no Law in War
War is a State of Lawlessness
Anything can happen
He does know what he’s saying
You sometimes We become too quick to jurge. the man admited to the massacre, but the interview was based On civil paspective. Above all He said blame the WAR.
The Nigerian soldiers committed war crimes against the people of Asaba. The civilians were not armed. So it is not simply soldiers against soldiers or "war is war." This baba is telling lies in his old age. It is now for him a matter of belief and not the fact of what happened. It is unfortunate that in the closing years of his life, he is still in malice with the truth. Will Nigeria ever be a safe place?
There were killing you and you're killing them...you're not friends now?🤐
You cant say what you don't know. Ajayi said he was not there, not his battalion that carried it out., ,,but he was defending it
Oyamiri know how to start war but don't know war is war. What was biafraud looking for in Nigeria side should be the question?
A foolish person looks wise until he or she opens his or her mouth.
God knows there shouldn't be any war in Nigeria if General Ironsi could have allowed those five majors I mean Ifeajuna, Nzeogwu and others corrected the silly mistake of Nnamdi Azikiwe who sells the whole Southern Regions to the North but Ironsi didn't understand the power politics enough and the result is where Nigeria is today. As for Asaba massacre, there's no paddy for jungle, Friendship during the day and Enemy at night, Omo anything can happen.
I used to reason this way until I read further. I am an Igboman who detest that first coup and Zik but why was Kaduna Nzeogwu given a state burial but Ironsi who did not partake in the coup and even imprisoned the coup plotters was killed recklessly?
Useless yoruba man
The interviewer is interrupting the man. You should act as a storyteller not a journalist.
So somebody giving information to your enemy is your friend
The anchor man is biased in his interview
The interviewer is obviously not interviewing, he’s more emotional than professional. I’m sure he wasn’t born then, all he had to do was hear what happened from the man who was in the situation
How can u be asking a question and answering it?let him talk don’t put words in he’s mouth..secondly how can the full asaba be the brothers n sisters of ezeogu
Had Ojukwu and banjo not invaded Midwest asaba massacre wouldn't have happened
Why would army slaughter people? Edmund, think well here
Biafra using Chinese weapons will need to check that.
Its not true, these was nothing like Chinese guns back then...nothing !( He was an nco back then....(a small boy)
Biafra soldiers used mark 4 by barreta, G2 rifles and Aks they recovered from Nigerian army personnel. .. Biafrans had no assault.
Do you know what the Biafra did to civilians in middle west now Edo state I as a child was held captive with my late mother in a peaceful community that even welcomed the soldiers in all the killed up ten persons including a Brest feeding mother. Not to mention the countless cases of rape and abuse of my people they were all civilians the same thing happened in other localities around my place. Someone one is here wiping sentiment. This is why we should always try to avoid war.
Please what part pf asaba
Please what part pf edo state
Lies!!!
Urohnigbe is in orhiomwon local government area of edo state we still have a very larg ibo community I belive some of the old ibo Generation knew of this. Urhonigbe is along Agbor - Abraka high way.
It is also condemnable. They're both war crimes and should be condemned unequivocally.
Spoils of war 💔
However in love and war, all is fair
Solid history...
Rubbish, that was then. It will not happen this time because Nigeria had no weapons better than Biafra.
I lost about seventy mates in Asaba. It appears that the so called was not real
Explain sir
The interviewer has a stand view on the topic being discussed therefore those not see any point from the statement of the interviewee. Instead of blaming Ojukwu for that war, they choose the part of propaganda as usual.
You are obviously insane. Blame Ojukwu for what?
On this massacre story, I believe the account of Brig. Alabi-Isama xos his father was from Ukwani, a Delta Ibo town.
He claimed in an interview that before the federal army got to Asaba, nearly all the Hausa living in Ogbe Hausa in Asaba had been killed. He said when the northern troops got there, it was natural that they took revenge.
Seeing d name already I'm not surprised by your comment
Why are all these alternate accounts always coming from the southwestern apologists,the so-called massacre of hausas had never been mentioned by any official accounts.but the most shameful and gory thing is the attack on noncombatants (old men and children)and this old man 's excuse is that they(the victims) were singing**what kind of singing is that??*** Imagine The rules of engagement was stipulated and ratified by the UN for this same reasons to protect the noncombatants, I pray that in the after life he should be put in a room with the souls of the people that he and his comrades murdered so he can tell them War is war.
Evil yoruba man
Say the truth
This interviewer your questions seem aggressive, we know what they did in asaba was bad, but your questions shouldn't be this aggressive
God bless Nigerian Army
Ajayi's attempt to rationalize and excuse the massacre was not successful. The Asaba massacre was a classic war crime. Those responsible should have been tried accordingly. It was poetic justice that the commander of the killers would be beheaded many years after. Karma is real.
This terrible igbo were killed alot
The interviewer's questions are immature
Taiwo paid with his blood. .
English made weapons (mark that)now we know who sponsor the war
French & Belgium also helped the Biafra so don't come and be talking like you guys weren't helped too
@@abdulateefakinwande9681France supported both sides as we read
Was Ojukwu sponsored to declare biafra? Stop talking nonsense.
Allow the man to speak his mind, and stop trying to craft his story to suite your predetermined narrative. The purpose of an interview is primarily to extract information, after which you can separate fact from fiction, and not to impose your thoughts/belief on your guest, or try to put him on a guilt trip.
War is war , it was not a massacre,get the facts clear
English made weapons. Gowon ran to exile to Britain. England sponsored the war
Baba has spoken well, igbos wants to kill Nigerian and Nigeria defended itself? The interviewer is aggressive and arguementative, and his prejudice - hatred and anger is visible and obvious. Hope the interviewer and igbos dont start what they cannot finish again.
Evil yoruba yemi
You killed children 😭
the interviewer has a bias, it was war, many things happened, from the way he sounds I wouldn't regard it as a massacre
Wicked yoruba soul
The interviewer is very unprofessional, you need to put sentiment aside and do your job if you are trained, you are talking to the ,man as if he gave the command for the massacre
My friend, what are you calling massacre? Were you there?
Edmund, you really have to be professional here, but not myopic or subjective. You think war is a child play?
Mr interviewer don't be stupid😂😂😂.... I see what you were trying to do there... Trying to play mind games 😂... It was a war so what did you expect... An eye for an eye they say
There are humanitarian laws that guide how wars are fought.
The belligerents should fight and leave out the civilians
Anything that causes the death of civilians with wasn't inadvertent is against the humanitarian laws
This older man doesn't said the truth
This Guy doesn't know how to ask questions
Ask intelligent question bro but arguing with someone that fought the War
This old man is evil man
THIS HOST DOES NOT KNOW HIS JOB
Your Major Emmanuel Ajayi is an ruthless liar. I will regard him as a field major not a trained Major.
They thought every human being from Asaba is a blood relation of Chukwuma Nzuogu.
The idiot who did the massacre from Asaba to Onitsha was killed by Dimka, Murtala Muhammed. Your major Emmanuel is very deceitful.
No, the most talented Biafran soldier is from Asaba yes by name, Achuzia "Air raid". They killed so many innocent people in Asaba.
In all he is hiding the truth to get an advantage.
NOTE: War is not good.
The Igbo dragged Asaba info war but let the people to their fate but everywhere in actual Igbo land they stayed tight to depend. What a tribalistic specie.
If you weren't stupid, you would have realized that Nzeogwu the main mastermind and alleged coup plotter was from Okpanam about 5mins from Asaba and of the main 4 majors who planned that coup ,none were from the Eastern heartland,so , common sense should tell you that the igbos were dragged into a War and not the other way around ,but then again you can believe anything you like,I bet nothing can change your Condition.
@@obiezedaniels5907major Don Okafors mother was a Tiv
This man is a blatant lier. There was a massacre in asaba. .
Lie Lie country,
An unrepentant soldier is this man.
Mr Emmanuel Ajayi, I hope you will make peace with your maker before departing this earth. Your reaction and rather lame excuses for the massacre you committed with your comrades in Asaba is no different from what the Nazis did at the Nuremberg trials after WWII. Men love to hide behind obeying orders to commit foul crimes or to dig up excuses and in some cases label the enemy with crimes for why they though unarmed must be killed. In Rwanda, the Hutu called the Tutsi cockroaches in order to justify killing them. I hope you read my comment. I shall be praying that you repent and come to that place where you will see the enormity of the evil you participated in. It is never too late because our Lord and God can forgive so long as we come sorrowfully to acknowledge our sins. You have been lucky that Nigeria's war crimes never went to the ICC. Perhaps one day go to Asaba and find even one family that you hurt to beg for their forgiveness. Do not let the door of eternity close upon you without doing this.
Story for the gods
@@luhgeezy5062 One day you will meet the GOD of all universe.
This guy is asking questions in a very ignorant manner.
Interviewer👎🏿👎🏿 Major Ajayi👍🏿👍🏿
Lol, Yorubas the ordained saboteurs