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Why Nigeria bought arms from Soviet Union during civil war — Gowon
Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) has revealed that the refusal of the United States and Britain to supply arms to Nigeria during the civil war drove his government into the arms of the Soviet Union and a Lebanese black-market businessman.
He said the two unlikely lifelines eventually turned the tide of the three-year conflict, which raged from July 1967 to January 1970.
The revelations are contained in Chapter Fifteen of Gowon’s 859-page autobiography titled My Life of Duty and Allegiance, obtained by our correspondent at the book’s launch in Abuja on Tuesday, where President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The chapter, titled “If The Devil’s Ready To Help,” chronicles Gowon’s desperate search for weapons as Nigeria’s ammunition stockpile collapsed to half a million rounds for the entire Army by late 1968.
He said the stockpile was insufficient to sustain operations, while traditional Western allies remained aloof.
He wrote, “As the weeks of fighting wore on, our stock of ammunition was steadily depleted by these wastes, and we could not replenish them because international sales restrictions prevented suppliers from selling military hardware to Nigeria.
“Left with no choice, I ordered the Federal troops to hold their position after the capture of Enugu up to Okigwe and Umuahia because I could not, in clear conscience, commit them to further advance knowing that the ammunition to sustain the effort was in short supply.”
Gowon said he was particularly stung by the contrast between the inaction of the Western allies in Nigeria and their aggressive military posture in Vietnam and Cambodia, where American air power was being deployed at scale.
He sought out the British and American ambassadors in a meeting he described as one of the most consequential of the war.
About the meeting, he said, “If I say I’m not disappointed, it will be an understatement.
“I, however, left them in no doubt that I had a duty and responsibility to keep Nigeria united and safe for all Nigerians and other nationals resident in Nigeria.
“As they were about to enter their cars, preparatory to leaving the State House, I said, if I say I’m not disappointed, it will be an understatement, so I will go to any devil to get what I need to deal with the problem, to do my duty to my country, and when that happens, I hope I will not be accused of doing something wrong.”
Both ambassadors left without any commitment, Gowon said.
However, the former Head of State said he had already decided on his next move.
He said Moscow’s willingness to supply arms could serve as the lever that forced Britain and America back to the negotiating table.
A Nigerian delegation led by Commissioner of Information Anthony Enahoro, Permanent Secretary Edwin Ogbu, Chief of Air Staff Emmanuel George Kurubo and Ambassador John Ukegbu was promptly dispatched to Moscow.
“The Soviet Union supplied us some MiG-15 trainers and MiG-17 bombers for the meeting, which was a huge success,” he wrote, adding that Soviet-Nigerian relations grew into something “special” in the aftermath of the war, a warmth that had been purchased by Western indifference.
According to him, Moscow alone could not solve the immediate ammunition crisis.
For that, Gowon said he turned to Ali Jamal, a Lebanese businessman with access to the black market for military hardware, “who strongly believed in Nigeria” and who offered to personally finance the procurement of ammunition and equipment, asking only to be reimbursed interest-free once the government could pay.
“Jamal was not deterred even after I told him that I had no money with which to make immediate payments for the purchases.
“He told me not to worry and that he would use his own money to provide the ammunition we needed but would want to be reimbursed interest-free at the shortest possible time.
“With his support, we were able to get some of the hardware and the ammunition we needed to change the face of the war,” Gowon wrote.
But the arrangement nearly collapsed at the Federal Executive Council when Finance Commissioner Chief Obafemi Awolowo refused to authorise payment, objecting that the process had not been properly followed and that it constituted extra-budgetary expenditure.
To this, he said, “I was aghast because it suddenly appeared to me that the Finance Commissioner and others at the FEC did not understand the depth of the problem I was in to ensure the survival of the men in the field and that war was successfully prosecuted.”
He told Awolowo: “I’m afraid I’ll want to use my powers and authority, which I think I can do as Head of State and Head of Government, to give any department the order to do what is required to be done.”
On the altercation at the council meeting, he said, “Although I used anger and the power of my office to win the argument and retain the integrity of the nation with my friend, I felt proud of my team that always insisted on following due process to justify every action and every expenditure. Jamal subsequently was paid in full.”
The book, running to 859 pages across 36 chapters, covers Gowon’s full life from his Angas origins in Plateau State through his military career, the civil war, his ouster in 1975 and his years in exile and academic study.
Prophetess Ezinne Nwanorue, a Nigerian preacher based in Canada, has sparked controversy online after appearing to celebrate the death of her mother-in-law in a social media post that has drawn widespread criticism.
The cleric shared the funeral poster of the deceased, Comfort Nwanorue, on Facebook on Monday, accompanying it with remarks in which she accused her late mother-in-law of being responsible for some of the challenges she had faced in the past.
Ezinne claimed she had endured years of spiritual attacks and persecution, saying she believed God had exposed those she held responsible for her struggles.
She also issued stern warnings to individuals she described as agents of evil, urging them to repent.
Her comments triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many users criticising her for publicly expressing what they perceived as joy over the death of a family member.
The incident has also renewed public interest in Ezinne’s marriage to Franklin Nwanorue, which previously made headlines over a controversial fidelity oath he took before relocating to Canada.
Before leaving Nigeria, Franklin reportedly recorded a video in which he pledged to remain faithful to his wife, declaring that he should die if he ever cheated on her after relocating abroad.
However, Ezinne later accused her husband of violating the oath, alleging in a separate Facebook post that he had become involved with another woman despite his public declaration.
As of the time of filing this report, Franklin Nwanorue and other members of his family had yet to publicly respond to Ezinne’s latest social media post.
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally terminated the services of his longtime personal lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, directing him to stop representing him, his family or IPOB in any capacity.
In a letter dated July 22, 2026, and written from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, Kanu said Ejiofor’s engagement as his personal legal representative had previously been terminated verbally, adding that the latest letter served as formal written confirmation of the decision.
Kanu also withdrew any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to act for or represent IPOB, insisting that the lawyer no longer had any express, implied or ostensible authority to speak or act on behalf of the group.
Citing Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct, Kanu said the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers rests exclusively with the IPOB leader unless expressly delegated.
He argued that no individual, committee or former office holder acting outside the provisions of the IPOB Code of Conduct could validly appoint or retain legal representatives for the organisation.
Kanu directed Ejiofor to immediately stop making public statements, granting interviews, issuing press releases or publishing social media posts on behalf of him, his family or IPOB.
He also instructed the lawyer to stop presenting himself as his legal representative or that of IPOB in any court, forum or public space, and to take the necessary legal steps to withdraw from any pending matters in which he remains counsel of record.
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In the letter, Kanu warned Ejiofor against disclosing or misusing confidential information obtained during their lawyer-client relationship.
“Accordingly, I hereby place you on formal notice that you are not authorised to disclose, publish, communicate, exploit, or otherwise use any confidential or privileged information acquired in the course of your retainer, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose whatsoever, except as required by law or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, without my express written authorisation.
“Any unauthorised disclosure or misuse of privileged information may constitute professional misconduct and may give rise to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, as well as any other remedies available under the law.”
Kanu further cautioned that any breach of client confidentiality or unauthorised disclosure of privileged information could amount to professional misconduct and attract disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), in addition to other legal remedies available under Nigerian law.
I tightened the language, removed repetition and improved the flow while retaining the substance of the original report.
Rescue operations are ongoing following the late-night collapse of a three-storey building known as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The building collapsed on Sunday night, July 26, 2026, trapping some occupants beneath the rubble.
According to the Anambra State Police Command, a police-led joint security team was immediately deployed to the scene following a distress report.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday.
Ikenga said, “On receipt of the distress report, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area to prevent further danger, and coordinated rescue efforts.
“The Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also responded promptly and joined in the rescue operation.
“The Command notes that rescue operations are ongoing to reach other persons who may still be trapped, as the number of casualties or affected persons cannot yet be confirmed.
“Also, some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
“To this end, members of the public, especially residents in the area, are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access.
“Further updates will be communicated as more verified information becomes available.”
The Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State, has been allocated 393 empowerment projects valued at N127.1bn in the 2026 Appropriation Act, according to civic technology organisation, Tracka.
The allocation is part of N947.70bn earmarked for 2,579 empowerment projects across the country, with Tracka raising concerns over transparency and accountability.
The organisation said the projects were spread across 184 implementing agencies, including institutions whose statutory mandates do not ordinarily cover empowerment programmes.
The Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe, received 216 projects worth N88.1bn, while the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, was allocated 94 projects valued at N36.9bn.
The National Agricultural Development Fund received six projects worth N89.5bn, including N89.09bn for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme.
Tracka said only 70 of the 2,579 empowerment projects had clearly identified locations, making it difficult for citizens and oversight bodies to track implementation.
The projects include buses, tricycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, sewing machines, fertilisers, vocational equipment and grants.
Overall, N962.83bn was earmarked for SUVs and empowerment projects, comprising N15.13bn for 39 SUVs and N947.70bn for the empowerment programmes. Tracka said the amount exceeds the combined N960.27bn allocated to seven federal ministries.
The organisation warned that poorly designed empowerment schemes could become channels for political patronage, while calling for greater transparency and accountability.
Its concerns come amid rising government borrowing. The Federal Government has increased its 2026 borrowing plan to N29.20tn, while total spending is projected at N68.32tn against revenue of N36.87tn, leaving a deficit of N31.46tn.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, warned that rising deficits and debt could threaten Nigeria’s fragile economic stability and create a risk of a debt trap.
The Federal Government has earmarked N962.83bn for the procurement of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and empowerment projects in the 2026 Appropriation Act, an amount higher than the combined allocations to seven key federal ministries, according to an analysis by civic technology organisation, Tracka.
Tracka said its review of the 2026 Federal Government budget showed that N15.13bn was allocated for the procurement of 39 SUVs, while N947.70bn was earmarked for 2,579 empowerment projects, bringing the total to N962.83bn.
The organisation said the amount exceeded the combined N960.27bn allocated to the Federal Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment; Housing and Urban Development; Women Affairs; Justice; Livestock Development; Aviation and Aerospace Development; and Petroleum Resources.
The ministries received N156.8bn, N145.3bn, N169.39bn, N150.7bn, N177.6bn, N87.3bn and N73.1bn, respectively.
Tracka expressed concern over what it described as a lack of transparency surrounding many of the empowerment projects, noting that only 70 of the 2,579 projects had clearly identified implementation locations.
It said the absence of project locations raised fundamental questions about accountability, implementation and oversight.
The organisation asked: “How can citizens track projects with no stated location? How can oversight institutions verify implementation? How can taxpayers know who ultimately benefits from these allocations?”
Tracka also said the projects were spread across 184 implementing agencies, including institutions whose statutory mandates do not ordinarily cover empowerment programmes.
According to the analysis, the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, was assigned 393 projects worth N127.1bn, while the National Agricultural Development Fund received six projects valued at N89.5bn.
The Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe, was allocated 216 projects worth N88.1bn, while the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, received 94 projects valued at N36.9bn.
The largest single empowerment allocation was N89.09bn for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme under the National Agricultural Development Fund.
Other major allocations included N14bn for the procurement and distribution of economic empowerment equipment and utility vehicles through the Federal Cooperative College, Oji River; N14bn for youth empowerment programmes under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development; and another N14bn for youth empowerment and medical outreach under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The budget document also contains several allocations for buses, tricycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, sewing machines, fertilisers, vocational equipment, grants and other empowerment items across various agencies and regions.
While acknowledging that empowerment programmes could deliver meaningful social and economic benefits, Tracka said such initiatives must be properly designed and transparently implemented.
It warned that poorly designed programmes could become channels for political patronage, with benefits going to loyalists rather than reaching citizens broadly.
“Experience over the years has shown that many poorly defined empowerment projects have become vehicles for political patronage, rewarding loyalists rather than delivering broad-based benefits to citizens,” the organisation said.
Tracka further expressed concern over the fiscal implications of the allocations, noting that the 2026 budget is expected to be financed largely through borrowing.
It said that with the budget projected to run a deficit of about 46 per cent, every naira should be directed towards investments with clear development outcomes, measurable impact and value for money.
The organisation called for greater transparency in budget preparation and implementation, insisting that every budget item should have a clear purpose, defined location, an implementing agency with the appropriate legal mandate, identifiable beneficiaries and measurable outcomes.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has increased its borrowing plan for 2026 to N29.20tn following an expansion in the proposed budget size.
The figure represents an N11.31tn increase from the earlier N17.89tn borrowing projection contained in the 2026 Abridged Budget Call Circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
Total debt financing for 2026 is now projected at N29.2tn, amid a widening fiscal deficit. Total spending is estimated at N68.32tn, while aggregate revenue is projected at N36.87tn, leaving a deficit of N31.46tn.
The Federal Government also raised N5.08tn from the domestic bond market in the first six months of 2026, representing a 77.8 per cent increase from the N2.86tn raised during the corresponding period of 2025, according to an analysis of Debt Management Office auction results.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, had earlier warned that Nigeria must be cautious not to undermine the fragile macroeconomic stability achieved in recent months.
Yusuf expressed concern over high deficits and rising debt levels, warning of the risk of a debt trap.
“We need to worry about debt sustainability,” he said, noting that high levels of deficits and debt could “choke the fiscal space and lead to a kind of vicious circle of debt.”
He added that Nigeria had only recently regained some macroeconomic stability and that any disruption could worsen inflation and exchange rate pressures.
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