IBB narrates his war death encounter with Biafran’Ogbunigwe’ Shell.
Nigeria News Nalin It is reported that former head of state Ibrahim Badamosi Babajda (IBB) told about his experience of the civil war. On March 27, 1969, his command of the 82nd Battalion was violently attacked by the Biafran troops. The bombing almost took his life.
The IBB said the Biafran artillery began uninterrupted bombing of its stance, noting that even the positive response of the Nigerian army to these attacks was hampered by the Biafran forces.
The former head of state said in his just-released book, Journey to Service, that in this fierce battle, Biafran Ogbunigwe shell injured him.
IBB’s words: “Now, the attention of the federal forces has shifted to Ebony. After the first attempt to defeat the Third Marine Commando of Umuahia, Colonel Schwartz gave the mission to LT-COL. Danjuma began invading Umuahia just days before March 27, 1969. The attack will continue until April 24, 1969.
“As a major, I am the commander of the 82nd Battalion, one of the seven battalions deployed by the LT-COL. Danjuma invaded and captured Umuahia.
“But to reach Eumbiya we must first cross Uzuakoli, just 13 kilometers away. On March 27, we were heavily bombed by the Biavran troops. But somehow, we held ourselves and overthrew the suburbs of Uzuakoli.
“Then, under my order, on April 1, the 82nd Battalion attacked and captured Uzukoli. But it turned out that our victory had caused a serious price.
“Now is keenly aware that from our location in Uzukoli, we are only a few kilometers from Umia, the Biavran artillery began to bomb our location uninterrupted.
“Even our positive reaction to these attacks did not stop them. It was in this fierce battle that the Biafran Ogbunigwe shell hurt me. The shrapnel landed on the left side of my chest, close to it, and we later discovered, affecting my lungs Department. I’m very lucky.”
The former head of state continued: “Initially, I didn’t know I was hit. Part of it was due to the intense and prolonged firefighting that I never heard of the shooting or felt the impact. I smelled some burning human flesh.
“In a short few seconds, the wound was not injured. Then suddenly, when I grabbed my chest and felt the blood oozing out, I felt like a kick I had in a tree trunk, making me feel numb and beat pain. Then , my feet started to numb, first above my knees, then below. At that time, I thought I had fallen and had to be moved away, and other commander Mamman Vatsa took over my battalion Order.
“My casualty evacuation process was slower than my colleagues wanted. It had passed the dusk and, due to the lack of takeoff and takeoff gears available, it was necessary to create an easy runway from a military convoy with lights! Finished Immediately after this operation I was evacuated to the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital in Idi-Araba, Lagos.
“It is surprising that despite the pain and pain, I remained vigilant and conscious from the moment I started the strike during the evacuation period.
“Even if I’m not sure about the nature of the injury, my spirit is optimistic. While I don’t think I’m going to die, I know it’s going to be a life-changing experience.”
