The Nigerian Civil War (6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970), also called the Biafran War, was one of the most devastating conflicts in modern African history. Beyond the battlefield, it was marked by a humanitarian catastrophe. Starvation, displacement, and mass civilian suffering defined the war. Among the most vulnerable were children, who experienced hunger, flight, and trauma on a large scale.
This draws on survivor testimonies, relief reports, and historical studies to examine the plight of child refugees during the conflict.
War Breaks Out and Civilians Flee.
The secession of the Eastern Region, declared as the Republic of Biafra in May 1967, led to a brutal three-year conflict. The federal government quickly imposed a blockade, cutting off food and supplies. By mid-1968, famine conditions had escalated, and images of starving Biafran children shocked the world, prompting international relief efforts.
The collapse of markets, schools, and governance forced families to focus on survival. Many fled their homes when towns came under bombardment. In the confusion of evacuations, some children were separated from parents. Survivors recall carrying small rations, pieces of cassava, yam, or dried garri, while walking long distances to escape fighting.
Displacement and Journeys on Foot.
Historical records confirm that children fled towns such as Onitsha, Enugu, Nsukka, and Aba as battles advanced. Most travelled with relatives or neighbours, though separation sometimes occurred in chaotic conditions. Refugee groups were largely made up of women, children, and the elderly, often moving on foot with their belongings.
Children recalled fatigue, injuries to their feet, and fear of bombardments. Some hid in the forests of present-day Anambra and Imo States, while others sheltered temporarily in nearby villages. A smaller number crossed the Niger River around Onitsha in the early stages of the war, often under dangerous conditions.
The Role of Hunger during the war.
Hunger defined displacement at every stage. Refugees often survived on wild fruits, foraged leaves, or food shared by strangers. Malnutrition and disease were widespread. Kwashiorkor, caused by protein deficiency, appeared in children with swollen bellies, brittle hair, and extreme thinness.
International agencies such as the Red Cross, Caritas, and the World Council of Churches attempted to send food into Biafra through nighttime airlifts. Federal restrictions and the dangers of flights meant that distribution rarely reached all who needed it. Many children went days with little or no food, and relief rations were insufficient to halt widespread hunger.
Missionary and Relief Shelters.
Missionary and church organisations played a critical role in sustaining displaced children. In towns such as Owerri, Umuahia, and Orlu, Catholic and Protestant missions set up feeding centres and clinics. These centres became essential spaces where children could access food, medical care, and in some cases makeshift education.
Contrary to earlier misstatements, Biafran children were not transported to Lagos for schooling during the war. Instead, some orphans and displaced children were cared for inside Biafra at relief centres, while others were later evacuated to refugee camps in neighbouring countries such as Gabon and Ivory Coast.
Memories of Survival.
Oral history projects conducted decades after the war document vivid memories of survival. Former child refugees describe sleeping in abandoned huts or makeshift shelters, sharing scraps of food with strangers, and receiving help from missionaries and villagers. These accounts illustrate both the suffering and the communal resilience that defined civilian survival during the war.
The Aftermath of the war and Education.
When the war ended in January 1970, the Nigerian government declared the policy of “No Victor, No Vanquished.” But for displaced children, reintegration was difficult. Some returned to communities where parents had died; others remained under missionary care or were absorbed into foster households.
Education became a central pillar of recovery. Under the federal “3Rs policy” (Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Reconciliation), schools were rebuilt, though classrooms were overcrowded and resources scarce for much of the 1970s. For children who had lived through famine and flight, even sitting in a basic classroom represented stability and the chance to rebuild their lives.
Author’s Note.
The experience of child refugees in the Biafran War was widespread and deeply traumatic. Thousands endured hunger, separation, and displacement under the pressures of blockade and war. Their survival was shaped not only by resilience but also by the efforts of relief agencies, missionaries, and local communities.
Though many names remain unrecorded, the collective memory of Biafra’s children stands as a testimony to the civilian cost of war and the endurance of the human spirit in the face of catastrophe.
References:
- Stremlau, John J. The International Politics of the Nigerian Civil War, 1967–1970. Princeton University Press, 1977.
- Heerten, Lasse, and A. Dirk Moses. The Nigeria–Biafra War: Postcolonial Conflict and the Question of Genocide. Cambridge University Press, 2017.
- BBC News Archive. “Nigerian Civil War: Refugee Crisis.” 1968–1969.
