January 8 Nigeria’s History: Ojukwu Fled to Ivory Coast Amidst War

8th of January in Nigerian History

On this day, 8th of January, 1970, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, leader of the breakaway Republic of Biafra, fled into exile in Ivory Coast where President Félix Houphouet-Boigny who had recognized the Republic of Biafra (on May 14 1968) granted him political asylum.

Ojukwu fled to avoid capture and assassination after all hopes of Biafra winning the war had vanished. He left his deputy, Philip Effiong, as the acting leader of Biafra who later surrendered on January 15 1970.

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