THE IMPACT OF NIGERIA CIVIL WAR ON BIAFRAN CHILDREN WITH ONITSHA AS A CASE STUDY

The Nigerian civil war often referred to as the Biafra war, is deeply ranked among the most tragic events that have left an indelible mark on the sand of time, in the historical of human existence especially with reference to the political landscape known as Nigeria. It remains an important and emotive episode that contributed in shaping the history of Nigerian to what we know at present. The war was a culmination of an uneasy peace and stability that had plagued the Nigerian state from independence in 1960.1 The two and half years (July 6th, 1967 - 14th February, 1970) was greeted with a sudden, though highly anticipated declaration of independence by the eastern region of Nigeria, under the name; “The Republic of Biafra”, under the leadership of Late LT. General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. This is the generation of the war that almost terminated the political existence of Nigeria as a sovereign
independent state. Upon that declaration, the Federal government moved to stop the disintegration of the country through secession; the action which resulted in an all-out war between the two factions. Although the civil war was fought from 1967 to 1970, the conflict
had far reaching ramifications on the country both in terms of the geopolitical changes and the lives of its citizens. Among those most profoundly affected by the war were the innocent and vulnerable children especially in Igbo land, including Onitsha children.