First Battle of Onitsha

The First Battle of Onitsha (October 4, 1967 - January 12, 1968) was a large military conflict between Biafran and Nigerian forces. The entire operation had a series of small battles leading up to a final assault by Nigerian forces on January 12.

Background
In the previous months before the battle Nigerian troops were quickly gaining an advantage over the struggling Biafra. Nigerians had seen victory at the Battle of Nsukka, Midwest Invasion of 1967, Battle of Ore, and the Fall of Enugu. On October 2, 1967 Gen. Murtala Muhammad was stationed next to the Niger River when he was commanded by Yakubu Gowon to attack the Biafran stronghold of Onitsha. When Biafran troops learned of this Gen. Philip Effiong ordered the destruction of the Niger River Bridge. This gave Gen. Muhammad only 2 ways to enter the city. He either had to march to the city of Abagana and cross the river there and then march to Onitsha or he could attempt a crossing by boat strait towards the city of Onitsha. Gen. Gowon recommended for him to march to Abagana and march to Onitsha but Gen. Muhammad decided to cross the river at Ndoni about 2 miles south of Onitsha.

Crossing the Niger
On October 4 Muhammad had a 10 boat fleet of 5,000 men cross the river at Ndoni. Gen. Effiong was prepared and had his men plant mines on the beach at Ndoni. While crossing Biafran troops fired at the Nigerians killing a large amount of men. Only a handful of Muhammad's men were killed by the explosions on the beach and he decided to march on. When Muhammad reached Onitsha the Biafrans fought the Nigerians for 8 days until the Biafrans retreated on October 12.

Counter attack
Instead of pursuing the retreating Biafrans Gen. Muhammad decided to loot and burn Onitsha's largest market. This let the Biafrans re-organize and plan a counter attack. On October 13 troops led by Phillip Effiong marched into the city and forced Gen. Muhammad to retreat across the Niger River. During the retreat across the river many of Muhammad's men were killed and all captured Nigerians were taken to prisons.

Second crossing
On October 14 Gen. Muhammad decided to attempt a second crossing. The now heavily guarded city of Onitsha had guards surrounding it. During the attempted crossing Effiong's troops bombarded Muhammad's troops and ended up forcing the Nigerians to retreat.

Muhammad's march
After the failed crossing Gen. Muhammad took Gowon's advice and marched to the city of Abagana. After he successfully crossed at Abagana he marched towards Onitsha. On the way Muhammad's men took control of 3 Biafran cities. Muhammad's men took 3 months to reach Onitsha. On January 12, 1968 Muhammad reached Onitsha.

Final battle
On January 12, 1968 Muhammad's men finally reached Onitsha. The Nigerians were met with stiff resistance from the defending Biafrans. By mid-day much of Effiong's men had been either killed, wounded, or captured. The final battle only lasted 24 hours. Effiong fled with the remaining men in the 12th Division of the Biafran army. Muhammad then occupied the city and put defensive forces around the city.

Aftermath
On March 31, 1968 Muhammad was returning from Abagana with 96 vehicles heading towards Onitsha. Biafran troops laid an ambush on the road they were coming from. When they came into view the Biafrans launched a home made "Bucket Bomb" at the Nigerians. The explosion killed almost every Nigerian in the vehicles. Murtala Muhammad was one of the survivors. After the Abagana Ambush the Biafrans led by Rolf Steiner attempted to take back Onitsha. The attack was a failure and Rolf Steiner was taken out of command of his troops by Odumegwu Ojukwu. In May 1968 Benjamin Adekunle took the city of Port Harcourt and took the cities of Owerri and Aba were taken in October 1968 during Operation OAU. The Biafrans re-took Owerri in January 1969. The Biafran capital of Umuahia was taken in December 1969 and Owerri was taken in January 1970. On January 15, 1970 Biafra surrendered to Nigeria.