How Biafran Ogbunigwe shell almost eliminated me throughout civil war– IBB

Previous Military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) has actually shared a traumatic experience from the Nigerian Civil War, exposing how he directly made it through a fatal attack by Biafran forces on March 27, 1969.

In his autobiography, A Journey in Service, ‘ Babangida stated how his system, Command 82 Battalion, dealt with extreme barrage from Biafran weapons while advancing towards Umuahia. Throughout the attack, he was injured by a Biafran Ogbunigwe shell, likewise called the Ojukwu Bucket. The Ogbunigwe was a series of locally-made weapons, consisting of mines, improvised explosive gadgets, and rocket-propelled rockets.

Babangida discussed that the 82 Battalion, which he commanded as a Major, belonged to a bigger operation led by Lt-Col. Danjuma to record Umuahia after a preliminary effort by the Third Marine Commando stopped working. To reach Umuahia, they initially needed to go through Uzuakoli, which they effectively recorded on April 1, 1969, after heavy combating. Their success was short-term as Biafran forces introduced constant weapons attacks on their position.

Throughout among these attacks, a Biafran Ogbunigwe shell struck Babangida, with shrapnel piercing the left side of his chest, directly missing his lung. He remembered, “At initially, I didn’t understand I was hurt due to the extreme fight. I just saw the injury when I felt blood exuding out and a numbing discomfort spreading out through my body.”

Following his injury, Babangida was left under tough conditions. As night approached, an improvised runway was produced utilizing military automobiles with their lights on, enabling him to be flown to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital for medical treatment. Regardless of the seriousness of his injury, Babangida stayed mindful throughout the evacuation and preserved a favorable outlook. He kept in mind, “Although I didn’t believe I will pass away, I understood this would be a life-altering experience.”

Throughout his healing, Mamman Vatsa, another leader, momentarily took control of the management of his battalion. Babangida’s account highlights the ruthless truths of the civil war and his narrow escape from death throughout among its fiercest fights.