By Austin Ogwuda
Matters Arising
“The Asaba Massacre is a sore spot in the minds of Ndi Ahaba, we have endured for 54 years this gruesome massacre of our men and boys, the future generation of Asaba was greatly truncated by this wicked act yet we trudge on to a glorious future, one that is devoid of bitterness even to our traducers…”
One of the prominent Asaba sons and a social crusader, Barrister CHIKE OGEAH wrote the above terse statement during the Annual Memorial Anniversary of October 1967 Asaba Massacres in 2021
By this coming October 2023, less than two months away, it will be exactly 56 years that that atrocity, heinous crime against the Almighty God and humanity, war crime or call it genocide was committed on the soil of Asaba, Delta State, South South geo-political zone of Nigeria.
So sad!
Somebody who is conversant with the geography of Asaba, the location called Ogbeosowa village in Asaba, the name – Ogbeosowa alone, strikes a chilling feeling as the memory of Asaba genocide readily comes to mind.
Seeing the sign post bearing the name at all without getting to the mass burial ground where the dead bodies lay, with their souls crying for justice for more than a half a century, resonates the killings that took place by the Federal troops upon invasion of the town on October 5th 1967.
History has it that the Federal troops who were pushing the Biafran soldiers back right from Ore between Benin and Lagos, entered Asaba around that date – 5th of October 1967.
Two days later, that was on the 7th of October hundreds of men, women and children including little lads strapped at their mothers’ back, trooped out in ‘akwa ocha’ (ceremonial white attire of the Anioma people) to welcome the troops.
It was a display of loyalty and support, display of hospitable nature the Anioma people are well known for.
They rolled out the drums, singing and dancing while chanting “One Nigeria” innocently, hoping to end the violence through such a show of support.
But lo and behold they had no inkling at all that the ‘sword of Damocles’ was dangling over their heads.
They actually couldn’t believe that they were already singing their way to the grave whilst the armed soldiers surrounding them, who were entertained betrayed no emotions.
These innocent dancers gaily adorning the akwa ocha (white cloth), a symbol of purity couldn’t decifer since some of the soldiers were either consciously or unconsciously nodding to the melody produced from ingenious flutists, drummers with the wind instruments.
As a great poet, William Shakespeare once said, “there is no art to find out the mind’s construction in the face”.
Then there was bloodshed of unimaginable proportion at Ogbeosowa open square as over 700 men and boys were felled with machine guns after they were separated from the women and little kids.
Renowned journalist, author, poet, academic, Professor Emma Okocha’s book – BLOOD On The Niger aptly painted the picture in a classical presentation.
Ogbeosowa village was not the only spot the killings took place there were other killing fields but that of Ogbeosowa was sadly, remarkable.
Year in and year out the people Asaba celebrate the anniversary of that massacre with heart wrenching testimonies from the orphans left behind and few persons that escaped by the whiskers.
Beyond rethorics the question is when can the tears of the people of Asaba, that feeling of abandonment, rejection and unanswered requests ever, be assuaged?
That brings me to the question of past efforts put in ostensibly, to redress the situation even though those whose lives were snuffed away by the soldiers can NEVER come back alive again.
*THE NEEDED HEALING AND RECONCILIATION
Even in the Bible, the key factor in offering forgiveness is not weighed on the magnitude or degree or level of the wrongdoings committed but the mere fact that the sinner got genuinely repented by first of all acknowledging that he is a sinner.
In this case he or she must first of all, recognize and accept his wrongdoings.There are several scriptural references but since this is not a Bible study class let me not bore you with those quotations here.
Now let us leave the spiritual realm to the natural.
I remember reading a book titled ‘Quo Vadis (Where Are You Going) Nigeria? written by a great scholar, Professor B.I.C Ijomah of blessed memory.
In the book which he dedicated to Chief Dr. Edwin K. Clark wrote thus at page 341 that “Without experiencing conflict, we will not be able to appreciate the value of peace at the end of conflict.
“Those who ran or survived the Nigeria Civil War will be able to appreciate Nigeria after the war”.
What has he alluded to, here, is appreciation of a given issue or circumstance.
But can the same be said about the trajectory which the Asaba massacre has taken?
Certainly, NO!
The duo of S. Elizabeth Bird and Fraser Ottanelli in their message during the Annual Memorial Anniversary of October 1967 Massacre in 2021, wrote thus:
“The Asaba Massacre Memorial: Remembrance, Redress and Reconciliation
….The Asaba massacres were not the only killings of civilians during that terrible war.
“Civilians were slaughtered at nearby Isheagu, and at market places and hospitals in Biafra itself. But Asaba was the largest single massacre and most deliberate and systematic.
“These civilians were not unfortunate colletral damage of a war; they were murdered in an undeniable war crime”.
They added: “The Nigerian Government has yet to recognize the suffering of Asaba, consistently taking the position that the war is best forgotten, while refusing to understand that it was truly a national tragedy.
Unlike many other countries transitioning from conflicts, Nigeria has failed to come to grips with the violations of the past and one consequence is a nation struggling with constant violence”.
Let me establish another example of impunity and brazen arrogance to ACCEPT and RECOGNIZE the enormity of the wreck, trauma the people of Asaba have been on battling with.
Recall that one I.B.M. Haruna was named as the officer who ordered the massacre, following a report of his testimony to the Nigerian Human Rights Violations Investigations Commission otherwise, called the Oputa Panel.
He was quoted as having claimed responsibility as the Commanding Officer and having no apology for the atrocity.
ASAGBA’s CONSISTENT CALL FOR JUSTICE
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba (Professor) Chike Edozien, CFR, who turned 99 years recently had, on several occasions brought this issue of massacre to the front burner.
The monarch has not relented even when General Yakubu Gowon under whose military era the massacre took place visited his palace, while on the nation-wide crusade on ‘Nigeria Prays’, a non denominational group floated by Gowon, the Asagba called his attention to the same issue – the massacre – calling on him that there was need for the establishment of government presence in Asaba, to at least, calm down nerves and as show of remorse as the people have remained abandoned, neglected since the massacre.
He echoed this position at different fora.
During that same 2021 Annual Memorial Anniversary under reference, the revered Asaba Monarch, an astute scholar reiterated the same call.
According to him, “time has come for Nigeria to remember what happened in Asaba during the war on October 1967.
“After many years, Asaba has resolved that Nigeria should own the tragedy, it should be Nigeria massacres and not Asaba massacres.
“We are inviting Nigeria to come and commemorate a cenotaph in Asaba for these victims. Federal Government should build a monument for them.
SENATOR NED NWOKO too…
Delivering a keynote address at a grand symposium during the 2020 Commemoration, Senator Ned Nwoko, reputed for fighting injustice against humanity globally vowed to seek for reparations for the Asaba people.
I, Austin Ogwuda, personally represented Nwoko at that event.
He stated thus in the address, “From Africa, the silence, the impunity is spreading to West Africa and inside Nigeria. Asaba 1967 is replicated everywhere now from the Gambia to Adamawa and to Cameroons.
“Reparation on its own, plays an important role in both mending the damage done and educating society. Damage caused to both people and property must be fairly assessed.
“Asaba massacre for more than 50 years has continued to be a tale and whisper of the orphans waiting for the unrepentant masters’ crumbs.
“I will do for Asaba, the survivors of Igbos, Isheagu, Ogwashi-Uku, and Ubulu-Ukwu what I have always done for my country, Nigeria.
“I will seek reparations for the massacre of Asaba and the Anioma nation. It is my lifelong quest to give succour to the downtrodden”.
He ended up by saying, “Asaba, Prince Ned Nwoko would fight for your reparation for the war and your thousand dead will never be forgotten”, assured Nwoko, presently representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
He also paid glowing tribute to Prof Emma Okocha, the author of the book titled “Blood on the Niger”, who has been in the vanguard for the struggle.
On this note, it is well taken that as promised by Nwoko, one, however, is wondering why the graveyard silence from Gowon who promised the Asagba that he would take it up from there when the Asagba called for the federal presence.
Is it too much for asking?
Why the continued silence from the successive governments.
In less than two months from now, precisely, 7th OCTOBER 2023, lies another commemorative anniversary to mark the 56th years of Blood on the Niger
LAST LINE:
It is saddening that shortly after the 2020 Asaba Massacre anniversary which Prince Ned Nwoko asked me to represent him, a great iroko, quintessential Emma Okocha passed on.
I salute you, Emma, for your scholarly display in the compendium on the massacre.
Adieu, Emma Okocha, your book – BLOOD On the Niger will remain a reference point from generation to generation.