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 units had taken control of key areas including Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa, and were reported approaching the outskirts of Benin City, the regional capital.
Witnesses described the crossing as swift and coordinated because federal troops stationed at the Niger bridge were reportedly caught off guard while civilians in Asaba fled across fields toward Ughelli as gunfire was heard through the early hours.
A Biafran radio broadcast from Enugu claimed the operation was launched “to liberate our brothers in the Midwest from federal oppression” and to “bring the war to a quick and honorable end.” The broadcast urged residents of the Mid-West to remain calm and cooperate with advancing forces.
Federal government spokesmen in Lagos condemned the move as “an act of treason and expansionist aggression.”
The Supreme Military Council announced a state of emergency in the Mid-Western Region and ordered reinforcements to move from Lagos and the Western Region to contain the advance.
