They were airmen shortly before joining Flying Antelopes. This is the story of young men who fought the Nigerian Civil War as Biafran Air Force (BAF) officers, left the battle field, joined Enugu Rangers and advanced to conquer many teams on the ground.
By Emeka Obasi
They were airmen shortly before joining Flying Antelopes. This is the story of young men who fought the Nigerian Civil War as Biafran Air Force (BAF) officers, left the battle field, joined Enugu Rangers and advanced to conquer many teams on the ground.
Sam Onyeaka spent most of his time at one of three airports constructed by Biafran Engineers during the war. While all eyes were on the Uli – Amorka axis, there was another facility at Uga which Nigerian Air Force bombers were unable to target.
Onyeaka said: “I was a Biafran Air Force officer in charge of Airport Fire Fighting Squadron based at the Uga Air Force base. The runway was not tarred. The runway lights were giant lanterns. Air Force personnel inside the trenches along the runway would light up the lanterns and place them above their dug outs.”
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Emeka Obasi writes for TheNiche
Biafran ingenuity was really at work. “The plane blew them off as it passed each lantern. We covered the runway with palm fronds, after landing and during the day. The plane taxied into hideouts near Aguluezechukwu, about a mile or more off the landing strips,” Onyeaka added.
This strategy made it difficult for Nigerian Air Force Russian MiG jets, often piloted by Egyptians, to destroy Biafran planes on the ground. This Plan B worked so well that even if the major Airport Annabelle fell into enemy hands, there was a handy alternative.
I asked Onyeaka if he met Count Gustav Rudolf von Rosen, the Swede who brought his light aircraft, rechristened Biafran Babies to support the Biafrans, his eyes lit up in excitement. “Yes, he was my hero, I was part of Operation Biafran Babies (OPS BB) and knew about the Swedish Air Mission (SAM).”
It was legendary Emma Okala that corrected me about Christian Chukwu’s role. I thought Chairman was in the Army. The veteran goalie said, no, he was part of the Biafran Air Force.” Were you a combatant? I wanted to know. Okala answered in the negative.
However, the first Biafran Chief of Air Staff, Col. Louis Chude Sokei was related to Okala. Two giants of men. Sokei did not survive the war, he was hit by shrapnel in Ogidi. He is best remembered as the man who organised the hijack of a Nigeria Airways plane to give Biafra a first aircraft.
Chukwu was an airman but much later, another Christian Chukwu became an Air Vice Marshal of the Nigerian Air Force. This Christian Chukwu also played football in Kaduna as a Cadet and wore the number 5 jersey. He was nicknamed Chairman.
AVM Chukwu’s elder brother, Squadron Leader John Ikeokwu Chukwu (JC) was one of the dare-devil Biafran Air Force pilots during the Civil War. A 1963 pioneer Nigerian Air Force Cadet, the senior Chukwu was recalled after the war and one account says he fought in Angola during their struggle for independence.
In 1977, AS Police of Senegal fans descended on Rangers players at the Demba Diop Stadium Dakar after the hosts were beaten 2-1 by the Flying Antelopes in an African Winners Cup game. If only they knew that many of those they attacked were battle-tested combatants! General Olusegun Obasanjo had to send an Air Force plane to bring the Nigerians back home.
Patrick Ekeji loved the Biafran Air Force but could not get in. “I went for recruitment into the BAF but was rejected because of my navel which was quite prominent. I wept but could do nothing about it.” The defender later joined the Biafra Army (BA) and was posted to Signals.
Ekeji’s first assignment was to guard Gen. Emeka Ojukwu at the State House, Ihitte Uboma which was known as Madonna1. He recalls once dozing off on duty but held right to his rifle. After that, the man saw battle in the Mid – West, deployed from Oraifite.
Aloy Atuegbu was too small to join the military but his three elder brothers did. Mathew (Mogambo the Truck Pusher) and Nicholas (Atilla the Hun) fought as soldiers. Andrew preferred the Air Force. Their youngest sibling, Fidelis told me that Block Buster (Aloy) was busy with their dad, Richard’s haulage business.
There was an Air Force touch when Chukwu as Team Manager, formed part of the Golden Eaglets team that stunned the world in 1985. Sports minister, Group Captain Emeka Omeruah was a Biafra Army colonel. NFA Chairman, Group Captain Tony Ikazoboh commanded the base in Kaduna when AVM Chukwu played soccer.
