Operation Tail-Wind

Operation Tail-Wind (January 7 – 12, 1970) was the final military operation in the Nigeria-Biafra War. It took place in the towns of Owerri and Uli, which were captured from the Biafran Armed Forces by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Quotes

• On December 22, 1969, Obasanjo, convinced that his war plan was superior to Army Headquarters’, launched Operation TailWind, the final offensive against Biafra. Within 21 days, Third Marine Commando’s troops swept through one Biafra stronghold after another. Troops of 12 Brigade and 17 Brigade captured the Aba-Umuahia corridor on December 25, 1969, meeting up with troops of the 13 Brigade who ransacked the Ikot Ekpene-Umuahia region on December 26. The 13 Brigade also seized the Ikot Ekpene-Bende axis on December 31 before proceeding to capture Arochukwu/Ututu on January 7, 1970. Owerri was recaptured on January 9 while Uli/Ihiala fell shortly afterwards.
• By January 12, 1970, the war was over and Biafra Leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, had fled the country. Biafra officials, led by Lt. Col. Phillip Effiong, surrendered to Obasanjo who then arranged a passage to Lagos for them to sign the peace treaty that ended the war formally.
  • How Obasanjo ‘tackled’ Head of State Yakubu Gowon during Nigerian civil war

• We are loyal Nigerian citizens and accept the authority of the federal military Government of Nigeria
  • Lieut. Col. Philip Effiong, leader of Biafra in its final hours, came to Lagos today and formally declared the surrender of Biafra