August 9 in Nigerian History: Biafran Forces Cross River Niger, Seize Mid-Western Towns

August 9 in Nigerian History: Biafran Forces Cross River Niger, Seize Mid-Western Towns

On August 9, 1967, no fewer than 3,000 Biafran soldiers crossed the River Niger at Asaba and pushed into the Mid-Western Region, marking the first major Biafran incursion outside the Eastern Region since the civil war began in July. According to military sources, the troops, moving in trucks and amphibious vehicles, overran the federal garrison at Asaba before advancing westward along the Benin-Asaba road. Sources further disclosed that Biafran …