Lt.-Col. Effiong Announces Surrender of Biafra
Text taken from
transcript of actual radio broadcast over the Biafran radio at 4:40 p.m., on
Monday 12 January 1970.
Fellow Countrymen,
As you know, I was asked
to be the officer administering the government of this republic on
the 10th of January, 1970. Since then, I know that some of you have
been waiting to hear a statement from me. I have had extensive
consultations with the leaders of the community, both military and
civil, and I am now encouraged and hasten to make this statement to
you by the mandate of the Armed Forces and the people of this
country. I have assumed the leadership of the government.
Throughout history,
injured people have had to resort to arms in their self-defence
where peaceful negotiations fail. We are no exception. We took
up arms because of the sense of insecurity generated in our
people by the events of 1966. We have fought in defence of that
cause.
I take this
opportunity to congratulate officers and men of our Armed
Forces for their gallantry and bravery which have earned for
them the admirations of the whole world. I thank the civil
population for their steadfastness and courage in the face
of overwhelming odds and starvation. I am convinced that the
suffering of our people must be brought to an immediate end.
Our people are now disillusioned, and those elements of the
old government regime who have made negotiations and
reconciliation impossible have voluntarily removed
themselves from our midst.
I have,
therefore, instructed an orderly disengagement of
troops. I am despatching emissaries to make contact with
Nigeria’s field commanders in places like Onitsha,
Owerri, Awka, Enugu, and Calabar with a view to
arranging armistice. I urge on General Gowon, in the
name of humanity, to order his troops to pause while an
armistice is negotiated in order to avoid the mass
suffering caused by the movement of population.
We have
always believed that our differences with Nigeria
should be settled by peaceful negotiations. A
delegation of our people is therefore ready to meet
representatives of Nigeria Federal Government
anywhere to negotiate a peace settlement on the
basis of OAU resolutions. The delegation will
consist of the Chief Justice Sir Louis Mbanefo, as
leader, Professor Eni Njoku, Mr. J. I. Emembolu,
Chief A.E. Bassey, Mr. E. Agumah. The delegation
will have full authority to negotiate on our behalf.
I have appointed a council to advise me on the
government of the country. It consists of the Chief
Justice Sir Louis Mbanefo, Brigadier P.C. Amadi -
Army, Brigadier C. A. Nwanwo - Army, Captain W. A.
Anuku - Navy, Wing Commander J. I. Ezero - Air
Force, Inspector-General of Police, Chief P. I.
Okeke, Attorney-General Mr. J. I. Emembolu,
Professor Eni Njoku, Dr. I. Eke, Chief A.E. Udoffia,
Chief A.E. Bassey, Mr. M.T. Mbu, Mr. E. Agumah,
Chief Frank Opuigo, Chief J.N. Echeruo. Any question
of a government in exile is repudiated by our
people.
Civilian population are hereby advised to remain
calm and to co-operate with the Armed Forces and
the Police in the maintenance of law and order.
They should remain in their homes and stop mass
movements which have increased suffering and
loss of lives.
On behalf of our people, I thank those
foreign governments and friends who have
steadfastly given us support in our cause.
We shall continue to count on their
continued help and counsel. I also thank His
Holiness the Pope, the Joint Church Aid and
other relief organizations for the help they
have given for the relief of suffering and
starvation. I appeal to all governments to
give urgent help for relief and to prevail
on the Federal Military Government to order
their troops to stop all military
operations.
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