Before Ojukwu, there was Boro. Before Biafra, there was the Niger Delta Republic.
A chemistry undergraduate and student union president at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Boro abandoned his studies to lead an armed protest against the exploitation of oil and gas in the Niger Delta — wealth that mainly benefited the Federal Government and Eastern Region, while his people got nothing.
He formed the Niger Delta Volunteer Force and, on Feb 23, 1966, declared the Niger Delta Republic. For 12 days, his militia — mostly fellow Ijaws — fought federal forces before being defeated. He and his men were jailed for treason by Gen. Aguiyi-Ironsi’s government.
Even when his father, a respected educationist, offered to sponsor him abroad rather than see him take up arms, Boro refused, saying:
“The Ijaws were going into perpetual bondage; if we do not strike now, not only our families but also the entire Ijaws would be infernally chained.”
On the day of his declaration, he told his comrades:
“Today is a great day… Remember your 70-year-old grandmother who still farms before she eats; remember your poverty-stricken people; remember your petroleum pumped daily from your veins — and fight for your freedom. Before today, we were branded robbers, terrorists, gangsters… but after today, we shall be heroes of our land.”
Ironically, Boro later fought on the Nigerian side during the Civil War against Biafra. He died in active service on May 9, 1968, at Ogu, Rivers State, under mysterious circumstances — aged just 29.
A revolutionary spirit forever etched in Niger Delta history. ✊🏾
FOLLOW US ON:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
PINTEREST
TIKTOK
YOUTUBE
LINKEDIN
TUMBLR
INSTAGRAM
