Operation Tail-Wind

Operation Tail-Wind (January 7–11, 1970) was the final military conflict between Nigeria and Biafra. The operation took place in the towns of Owerri and Uli, both of which were captured by Nigerian forces. The operation ended with General Odumegwu Ojukwu fleeing to the Ivory Coast and then president of Biafra Philip Effiong surrendering to Yakubu Gowon.

Background
On May 30, 1967 Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra independent from Nigeria. For a month Nigeria claimed that Biafra was a part of Nigeria and it would stay so. It was not until July 6, 1967 when Nigeria invaded Biafra at the Battle of Nsukka. Biafra invaded Nigeria in August 1967 but were intercepted by Yakubu Gowon on August 21, 1967 and were repelled back at the Battle of Ore. Biafra kept a stiff resistance until their capital was taken in October 1967 at the Fall of Enugu. The Biafran capital was moved to Umuahia where it stayed for another 2 years. Nigeria captured the Biafran stronghold of Port Harcourt on May 19, 1968 at the Capture of Port Harcourt by Nigerian general Benjamin Adekunle. Adekunle tried to take the Biafran capital of Umuahia and the 2 other Biafran strongholds of Owerri and Aba during Operation OAU. During Operation OAU Adekunle gained control of Owerri and Aba but lost 21,500 men during the battles of OAU. In late 1968 Biafra was given $1,044,000 in donations by a British radio station. The Biafran government was able to deduct money from the donation to buy military supplies for their army. In early 1968 the Biafran army captured the city of Owerri at the Capture of Owerri. The Capture of Owerri gave the Biafrans hope for their cause. For months Nigeria and Biafra were in a stalemate. It was not until December 23, 1969 when Nigeria invaded the Biafran capital of Umuahia. On Christmas Eve 1969 Umuahia fell to Nigerian troops. The Biafran capital was then moved to Owerri.

Final Offensive
On January 7, 1970 Nigeria made its final stance against Biafra in which they were going to take Biafra's last remaining large cities. One day after the battle started on January 8 General Odumegwu Ojukwu fled to the Ivory Coast leaving then president Philip Effiong to deal with the remaining pieces of the war. On January 9 the Biafran capital of Owerri fell to Nigerian troops. After the Fall of Owerri Major Timothy Onwuatuegwu escorted President Ojukwu to Uli Airport. Ojukwu fled Biafra in his private jet to the Ivory Coast. On January 10 Olusegun Obasanjo invaded Uli and Major Onwuatuegwu was shot and killed by Obasnjo's men. Unlike his close comrade E.A. Eutuk surrendered to Obasanjo's men after seeing Major Onwuatuegwu killed only feet away from him. One day later on January 11 Uli fell to Nigerian troops which ended the operation with a Nigerian victory and President Effiong ready to surrender to Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon.

Surrender
On January 15, 1970 President Effiong scheduled a meeting with Head of State Yakubu Gowon. That day Effiong officially surrendered to Yakubu Gowon. After Biafra heard the news there were mixed emotions about the decision. Some were happy, some were sad, some were unsure of what would come next.

Aftermath
After the surrender every Biafran citizen with bank accounts were given 20 Naira no matter how much or how little they had. Former Biafran president Odumegwu Ojukwu stayed in exile until he was allowed to return by Nigerian president Shehu Shagari in 1983. The Igbo people remained relatively in peace with Muslims from the North until about 15,000 Igbo's were killed by Muslim radicals in the Hausa controlled city of Kano in the North.