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Nicknames, Slogans, Local and Operational Names Associated with

the Nigerian Civil War
By

Nowa Omoigui
Nowa_o@yahoo.com

Every war tends to be associated with its own peculiar and unique vocabulary. For example, today in the
English language we use the term “Hooker” to describe prostitutes, not knowing that it was derived from the
name of American Major General Benjamin Hooker who liked the c ompany of women of easy virtue during the
American c ivil war. Likewise ‘side-burns’ is used to describe hair along the side of the face in men. The term
actually comes from Major General Burnside, a c ivil war era American General who had a huge extension of hair
down the side of his face.

The Nigerian civil war and the crises that preceded it, beginning on January 15, 1966 until January 15, 1970,
was no different. I have summarized below a sample of such nicknames, slogans, and local names and
operational code-names.

This is an academic exercise. No offense is intended.

Nickname, Definition/Meaning
Slogan, Local
Name or
Operational
Name
A

Agbekoya Yoruba term for “old peasant farmer.” The tax revolt of the “old farmers” proved to be a
serious internal security issue during the war.
“Ahiara” Modeled after Tanzania’s Arusha declaration, Ojukwu issued this ‘Biafran revolutionary’
Declaration declaration on June 1st, 1969 ostensibly to address nepotism and corruption within the
Biafran military and society.
“Air Raid” Nic kname for Biafran Colonel Joe Achuzia, acquired during attempt to retake Okigwe in late
1968.
Ajuku soja Nic kname for Biafran troops among illiterate and semi-illiterate Nigerian soldiers. It stands
Ajuku soja Nic kname for Biafran troops among illiterate and semi-illiterate Nigerian soldiers. It stands
for “Ojukwu’s soldier.” The term “soja” has entered mainstream use in Nigeria.
Alalaba tactics Alalaba means “sneaking” in Hausa. Designed by then Major MJ Vatsa, it was an infantry
method of tactic ally gaining ground on a Biafran armored vehicle before destroying it at
close quarters.
Annabelle Operational code-name for Biafra’s Uli-Ihiala airstrip
Apollo Battalion This was the nickname given to a 3rd Marine Commando self contained independent
Divisional reserve battalion created by Colonel Obasanjo after the landing of Apollo 11 on
the moon in July 1969. It was used in a “fire brigade” role as a “special forces” raiding
unit. It was, therefore, similar to Ojukwu’s “Umuahia Brigade” and may well have been
inspired by it.
Araba Araba in Hausa means to separate. The term first appeared on placards carried by rioters
in Bauc hi in May 1966 after promulgation of the ill-advised Unification decree #34. That is
why the May riots, whic h quickly spread to other towns in the north, are sometimes called
the araba riots.
Atomati Nic kname for “automatic weapon” among illiterate Nigerian soldiers.
B

“Baba” Used fondly, this was the nickname for Lt. Col. David Ogunewe, the last Commander of the
1st battalion in Enugu before outbreak of the war. He played a critical role in c ontaining
tension between northern and eastern soldiers during the July 29 northern counter-coup.

“Basha” Federal Nigerian nickname for temporary makeshift billets (tents) c onstructed for troops
using zinc sheets or tarpaulin. The term survived the war and is still in use.
“Biafra Gin” Home made Biafran Incendiary weapon produced by the Chemicals and Materials Workshop
subsequently subsumed under the Research and Production (RAP) Organization. Used
against federal personnel, defensive positions and armored vehicles.
‘Black Eagle’ Nic kname for Colonel Hubert Julian (Biafran mercenary)
‘Black Jack’ Nic kname for Col. Jean Schramone (Biafran mercenary)
‘Black Scorpion’ Nic kname conferred by foreign correspondents on Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, Commander
of the Federal 3rd Marine Commando Division
“BOFF” Acronym for Biafran Organization of Freedom Fighters. Colonel Aghanya led it.
‘Boozy Bonzo Nic kname for a South African mercenary who flew jets for the Federal Nigerian AirForce,
Bond’ drank whiskey while flying and liked to fly his aircraft bac k riddled with bullet holes – as
evidence.
“Bottoms” Residue of Biafran fuel refining process which was then used as fuel oil
The “Brave” Nic kname for Armand Iaranelli, a Corsican mercenary fighting for Biafra
C

Corporal Named after the Biafran soldier that captured it, the nickname ‘Corporal Nwafor’ was
Nwafor bequeathed to a federal Nigerian Army Saladin armored vehicle c aptured from the federal
2DIV during one of several Biafran attempts to retake Onitsha.

‘Corporal Nwafor’ was recaptured by federal troops of the 3MCDO during the unsuccessful
Biafran attempt to retake Ohoba in July 1969.
D
Exercise Damisa Damisa is the Hausa word for “Leopard”. Code-name for the Kaduna component of the
January 15, 1966 mutiny
Delfin Czech L-29 armed fighter jet/trainer used by Federal Nigerian Air Forc e
“Doctor Wise” Nic kname of a Biafran spiritualist who wielded great (and controversial) influence over
military operations, particularly in the latter stages of the war. He was a kind of Rasputin
for many elements of the Biafran political and military leadership.

The use of juju men and spiritualists was common to both sides during the war and remains
a common practic e in modern Nigeria.
E
F
“Final Nigeria launched many unsuccessful “final offensives” during the war until the real final
Offensive” offensive of December 1969/January 1970. The term became an object of scorn on Biafra
Offensive” offensive of December 1969/January 1970. The term became an object of scorn on Biafra
radio.
“FOB” Acronym for ‘Forward Operating Base’. This was a term used by the Federal Nigerian Air
Force for bases located in Makurdi, Benin, Calabar and Lagos.
‘Foot cutter’ A type of home made Biafran mine
G
Operation “Giwa” Giwa is the Hausa word for elephant. This so-called operation was alleged as the final ac t
in the complete Igbo take-over of the country in 1966 after execution of Operations
Damisa, Kura, and Zaki. The existence of such an operation has never been independently
confirmed. Nevertheless such propaganda was widely disseminated in certain northern
circles and may well have been believed.
“Genocide” Call-sign/code-name for a South African mercenary who flew for Biafra

Also the nickname for a home made Biafran armored vehicle used during the battles for
Ikem and Obollo Eke in 1967. Federal forces destroyed it.
“Genocide Biafran nic kname for Federal Nigerian Air Force IL-28 Bombers, converted DC-3s and DC-4s
Squadron” at the Benin City Forward Air Base in the Midwest.
“Go on with Federal Nigerian wartime slogan created from the alphabets in GOWON.
One Nigeria”
‘Good morning’ Biafran nic kname for highly predictable Federal Nigerian Army harassing artillery fire aimed
artillery at nobody in particular, usually the trees and bushes, but occurring at exactly the same
barrage times every morning. Used as an “alarm clock” by Biafran units.
‘Gowon’s Biafran nic kname for swelling of both feet caused by Kwashiorkor – resulting from wartime
Boots’ protein malnutrition.
‘Guitar Boy’ Nigerian nic kname for the Soviet AK-47 automatic rifle. Likely related to the curved shape
of its ammunition magazine and unique sound it makes when switched from full automatic
mode to semi-automatic grouped shots of three rounds each.
Gwodo-Gwodo Biafran nic kname for very huge “Nigerian” soldiers suspec ted (but never confirmed) to be
of Chadian origin
H
‘Hannibal’ Nic kname for Biafran Colonel Joe Achuzia, acquired after the Federal Nigerian Army
Abagana disaster. Inspired by Carthaginian General Hannibal who defeated Roman troops
at Cannae.
Lord “Haw- Federal nickname for Okokon Ndem, a minority easterner who nevertheless, worked as a
Haw” highly effective Biafran radio propagandist. Biafran radio also used the same nic kname for
Mr. Ukpabi Asika, a pro-federal Igbo intellectual who was appointed on October 27, 1967
by General Gowon as Administrator of the East-Central State.

The term dates back to the Second World War. ‘Lord Haw-Haw’ was the name British radio
fans c alled William Joyce, an Americ an born British man with an English mother and Irish-
American father. He had nazi sympathies and worked for Goebbels as a German weekly
radio broadcaster. The British hanged him for treason in 1946.
I
‘Intruder’ Biafran nic kname for a specific Federal Nigerian Airforce Ilyushin IL-28 Russian bomber
based at the Benin City Forward Air Base in the Midwest. By flying at altitudes above
10,000 feet, usually at night, it avoided Biafran ack-ack and home made ground to air
rockets. It was part of the so-called “Genocide Squadron.”

The Intruder was destroyed on the ground in May 1969 during Count Von Rosen’s
Operation Biafra Baby
“Ironside” British nickname for Major General JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi, first GOC Nigerian Army and first
military Head of State of Nigeria. Killed during the northern counter-coup of July 1966.
J
“Jack” British nickname for General Yakubu Gowon. Derived from YAKUBU.
“Jet” 22 Federal nickname for the 22 Battalion under Major Abdullai Shelleng in the Nsukka sec tor of
the 1st Infantry Division. The name was acquired on the basis of a sitrep Shelleng sent
back to 1DIV HQ stating that he had advanced with “jet speed” after succ essfully
catching up with his fellow 21 and 5 battalions during the drive towards Opi junction. Both
sister battalions had originally left him behind in Nsukka while he was awaiting weapons,
ammo and support units.
“Jet 77” Biafran propaganda company attached to the “S” Division when it was under command of
Lt. Col. Onwatuegwu.
 Lt. Col. Onwatuegwu.
K
“Kaduna” One of the middle names of Major Patric k Chukwuma “Kaduna” Nzeogwu, leader of northern
operations during the January 15, 1966 mutiny.
‘Kamikaze Nic kname for a Czech mercenary pilot called Brown who piloted Biafra’s B-26 bomber until it
Brown’ was destroyed on the ground at Enugu airport.
Operation Kura is the Hausa word for Hyena. This was the alleged Igbo operation to eliminate
“Kura” northern traditional rulers at Ibadan on July 28, 1966, as a follow-up to “Damisa.” The
existenc e of such an operation has never been independently confirmed. Nevertheless
such propaganda was widely disseminated in certain northern c ircles and may well have
been believed.
L
“Land Army” A subgroup of the Biafran “Scienc e Group” dedicated to production of food under economic
bloc kade.
M

“Mad Mike” Nic kname for Col. Mike Hoare (Biafran mercenary)

“Marshals” Extra large, home made, Biafran multiple mine throwers

“Monty of the Drawing inspiration from Britain’s Field Marshall Montgomery of Alamein, this was a
Midwest” nickname for Federal Nigerian Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed, Commander of the 2nd Infantry
Division on account of his successful campaign to contain and evict Biafran forces from
that region in 1967.
N

“Na Cinema” Nic kname for Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, mainly used among his people, the Yoruba.

“Ndidi” Biafran nic kname meaning “patience.” It was given to a captured Federal Nigerian Army
Armored Personnel Carrier at Uzuakoli.
“No Victors; No Federal Nigerian Wartime slogan, partic ularly after the war
Vanquished”

Ogbunigwe Very deadly home made Biafran multipurpose bomb produced by the Weapons and
Equipment Workshop subsequently subsumed under the Research and Produc tion (RAP)
Organization. Ogbunigwe was based on the physics of the “Monroe” effect. It killed and
maimed by wave effect percussion and dispersal of shrapnel. It was shaped either as a
cone or cylinder and could be used as a land mine, a ground to ground projectile against

“Oguta Boy” troop c oncentrations

Biafran nic kname for aorNigerian
ground Panhard
to air anti-personnel “air captured
armored vehicle burst” cluster bomb.
at Oguta in September
1968. The vehicle was later destroyed using “Alalaba” by elements of the Federal Army
21 Battalion under Major Vatsa during the battle for Uzuakoli in April 1969
Operation Aure is the Hausa word for “marriage”. When planning for the northern counter-coup of
‘Aure’ July 1966, conspirators in southern Nigeria made coded reference to it by talking about
“Paiko’s wedding”, Paiko being the nickname for (and hometown in Niger Province of) Lt.
Garba Dada, a northern subaltern at the 4th battalion who was to be the spearhead.
Operation Biafra Biafran mercenary Count Von Rosen’s Minicon air raids against Federal Nigerian AirForce
Baby (Babies) aircraft at Port Harcourt, Enugu and Benin airports on May 24 and 25, 1969. Later on,
raids were carried out against oil and shipping facilities at Port Harc ourt, Sapele, Warri and
Forcados.
Operation Do or Biafran offensive in late October 1969 to reopen the route to the Otuocha food producing
Die area between Onitsha and Abagana. This was a direc t response to the Federal Operation
‘Finishing Touc h’
Operation Federal Nigerian Army HQ offensive launched in October 1969 to break the stalemate of
‘Finishing Touch’ ‘trench warfare’ that characterized the preceding months.
Operation Unsucc essful Biafran offensive to retake Onitsha in November 1968
Hiroshima
Operation Alleged coup attempt uncovered on September 21, 1967 against Biafran leader Emeka
Operation Alleged coup attempt uncovered on September 21, 1967 against Biafran leader Emeka
‘Kinshasha Ojukwu by Colonel [Brigadier] Banjo, [Major] Alale, Major [Lt. Col.] Ifeajuna and [Major]
Special’ Sam Agbamuche. All four men were executed within four days after a court-martial.

Ojukwu claimed in his diary that Ifeajuna was seen c oming out the premises of the British
High Commissioner and that Banjo had thousands of pounds given to him by the British,
and that British-paid saboteurs were indoctrinating Biafran troops in the trenches. He later
accused Banjo of deliberately withdrawing from Benin in the wake of Lt. Col. Mohammed’s
2DIV offensive.
Operation Federal Nigerian Army 1st Infantry Division military offensive to take Umuahia in Marc h and
Leopard April 1969. Umuahia was then the capital of Biafra.
Operation Mabel French Secret Service airlift operation directed by Jacques Focc art to supply Biafra with
weapons (It began in September 1968, after an earlier public declaration on August 1st
that France was in support of Biafran “self determination”)
Operation OAU Federal Nigerian Army Offensive of September 1968 launched by 3MCDO Commander,
Colonel Benjamin Adekunle. Originally announced by Adekunle on July 30 at an
international press conference. It was aimed at the near simultaneous capture of Owerri,
Aba and Umuahia by Independence day October 1st 1968. Intended as a “present” for
Nigeria’s Head of State, it ended in disaster.
Operation Final Federal Nigerian Offensive of the war, launched in December 1969 by 3 Marine
Tailwind Commando Division under Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo.
Operation “Final” Federal Nigerian AHQ Offensive of August 1968
Tallman
Operation Tiger- Federal Nigerian 3MCDO Offensive led by Colonel Adekunle to take Calabar in October
Claw 1967.
Operation Torch Biafran invasion of the Midwest, August 9, 1967. Colonel Vic tor Banjo led the 101 Division.

The same code-name appears to have been used for the unsuccessful Biafran offensive in
September 1967 to retake Nsukka.
Operation Code name for federal strategic effort to keep Nigeria united. The term was originally used
Unic ord in an operational order by 1 Area Command dated July 2, 1967.
Ore Better known as a rest and recreation stop for road travelers, this small junction town
inside then Western State (now Ondo State) was the site of a decisive battle on August
23, 1967. There are historians who consider that battle (“The Battle of Ore”) the turning
point in the Nigerian Civil War.

P
“Paddy” Nic kname for an Irish mercenary fighting for Biafra

“Paiko” Paiko is a name of a town in Niger State. However, it was often used to refer to Lt. Garba
Dada, adjutant of the 4th battalion Ibadan in July 1966. He was one of the storm troopers
during the northern counter-coup.
“Papa” Nic kname for then Commodore J. E. Akinwale Wey, Federal Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff
during the war.
“Polic e action” Initial public description of “Operation Unicord”, the 1 Area Command federal offensive
launched at 5am on July 6, 1967 by Colonel Mohammed Shuwa, then ‘Northern Front’
Commander, Major Martin Adamu, then ‘Ogoja Sector’ Commander, and Lt. Col. Sule Apollo,
‘Nsukka Sector’ Commander. OP UNICORD was supported by ‘southern front’ operations led
by Lt. Col. Benjamin Adekunle. Major General Gowon first publicly used the term “Police
action” in a Press Conference on July 13, 1967, in which he said inter-alia, “I must
emphasize that this is not a civil war. It is not an attempt to c rush the Ibos. It is a
police action restric ted to the purpose of bringing down the Ojukwu regime… ” The
phrase was, however, discarded when, on August 11, 1967, in reac tion to the Biafran
invasion of the Midwest, Gowon declared “total war.”
Q

“Quisling” Another Biafran radio nickname for Ukpabi Asika. [Derived from the name of the Norwegian
Minister who served the Nazis during the Second World War].
R

RAP Acronym for Biafran “Research and Produc tion” Organization. This organization brought
RAP Acronym for Biafran “Research and Produc tion” Organization. This organization brought
together and coordinated the efforts of different scienc e groups focusing on Airports and
roads, chemicals and materials, Heavy equipment and industrial materials, weapons
production, biological proc esses, fuel refining, roc ketry, explosives, elec tronics and
essential foods.
Rebels Name frequently used by federalists to describe Biafran troops and the Biafran leadership.

“Red Devil” Biafran home made Armored vehic le adapted from tractors and other earth moving
equipment or captured or old vehicles. Produc ed by the Heavy Equipment and Industrial
Materials Group.
“ROB” Biafran pneumonic for “Republic of Benin”, the republic declared in the Midwest State on
September 20, 1967 by Major Albert Okonkwo, acting on behalf of Ojukwu. It was a last
ditch effort to win support from the minority ethnic groups in that State by purporting to
change its “status” as Biafran “Occupied Territory” to one of an independent nation. Less
than 24 hours later the “ROB” c ollapsed when federal troops took Benin City, its capital.

The 101 Division, which originally invaded the State under Colonel Banjo on August 9,
1967, was later renamed the “ROB” Division. Under Colonel Achuzia, it carried out
numerous raids into the Midwest in 1968 and 1969 from across the River Niger.
S

“Sabo” Nic kname for “saboteur”, a common Biafran tendency, encouraged by the Ojukwu regime,
to refer to any Biafran commander who lost a battle to federal forces irrespective of the
odds. Virtually all senior Biafran commanders (except General Odumegwu Ojukwu) were
branded saboteurs at one point or another. The c ustom began after the disastrous
withdrawal of the Biafran 101 Division from its ill-fated Midwest campaign of 1967.
“S” Brigade “S” stood for “Special”. It was a Brigade originally conc eived as a personal protection
force for Biafran leader Ojukwu, with direc t reporting relationship to him, outside Biafran
Army control.

This created a lot of envy and operational problems.

“S” Division When the Biafran “S” Brigade was expanded to Division size it became known as the “S”
Division.
“Shettima” Nigerian nic kname for the Spanish CETME automatic rifle – a variant of the Gewehr 3

(G3) German rifle. [Shettima is a real northern name, particularly in the northeast among
the Kanuri. It appears its phonologic similarity to CETME led to its adoption as the local
name of that rifle].

‘Shore Battery’ Biafran home-made weapon system. It was a combination of many different weapons
including Ogbunigwe, conventional bombs, rockets etc. set up together for mass effect,
elec tronically connected in series along coastlines and detonated in predetermined
sequenc es. The idea was to make casualty evac uation, retreat and tactical dispersal
extremely hazardous from secondary detonations.
“Show Boy” Nic kname shared by Federal Lt. Cols. Abdul D.S. Wya and Sotomi. It is not entirely clear
why they were called “Show Boys”

“Taffie” or Nic kname for a South African mercenary (Major Williams) fighting for Biafra along with
“Taffy” Steiner. Some say he was of Welsh origin.

“Tel” An important chemical used in petroleum blending by the Biafran Refinery and Fuel Group

“Thunder Name given (by Ojukwu) to detac hment of the “S” Division that took part in the siege of
Division” Owerri

‘Tiger’ Battalion Interestingly, both Nigerian and Biafran units used this nickname. The Nigerian 82
Battalion under Major Ibrahim Bako at Uzuakoli was nicknamed the “Tigers.”
 Similarly there was a “Tiger” Battalion in the 66 Brigade under Major Osuagwu during
Biafra’s Operation Do or Die.

“To keep Nigeria Federal Nigerian wartime slogan

one is a task
that must be
done”

“Tortoise Federal Nigerian Army HQ nickname for its 2nd Infantry Division – which made very little
Division” progress after March 1968.

“Twiggy” Nic kname for Jack Mulloch

Umuahia Nic kname for Colonel Ojukwu’s special reserve force based at Umuahia under Major Njoku.
Brigade

Uzuakoli Boy Biafran nic kname for a recommissioned Federal Army Ferret armored vehicle captured at
Uzuakoli
V

Vandals Name frequently used on Biafra radio to describe federal forces.

X
Y

“Yellow Bar” Nic kname for a Federal Nigerian Air Force mercenary Pilot

“You are keeping Federal Nigerian wartime slogan derived from YAKUBU, Major General Gowon’s first name.
Unity between
us”
Z

Operation “Zaki” Zaki is the Hausa word for Lion. This was the alleged Igbo inspired ethnic cleansing
operation against the North to follow-up ‘Operation Kura’ in 1966. The existence of such
an operation has never been independently confirmed. Nevertheless suc h propaganda was
widely disseminated in c ertain northern circles and may well have been believed.
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