Retired Army General, Alabi Isama has shed light on one of the most discussed episodes of the Nigerian Civil War, the Abagana ambush arguing that the heavy losses suffered by federal troops were the result of poor strategy rather than Biafran military superiority.
Speaking with Edmund Obilo, Isama who chronicled his wartime experiences in his book The Tragedy of Victory: On-the-Spot Account of the Nigeria-Biafra War in the Atlantic Theater, insisted that the Nigerian soldiers were not captured by Biafran forces, contrary to some popular accounts. Instead, he blamed flawed planning and tactics for their vulnerability.
“Even at Abagana, the picture is in my book, they went as if they were going on a picnic,” the retired general recalled, emphasizing how the troops moved without adequate preparation or defensive measures.
He explained that the miscalculation led the soldiers into a dangerous position where they were exposed to ambush, with devastating consequences. The outcome, he said was less about Biafran military brilliance and more about the errors made by federal commanders at the time.
Isama’s remarks highlight the importance of military discipline, intelligence, and strategic foresight in warfare. By drawing attention to the Abagana episode, he underlined how mistakes in planning could turn the tide of a battle and cause needless loss of lives.
The retired general’s reflections add nuance to the understanding of the Nigerian Civil War, moving beyond simplistic narratives of victory and defeat. His testimony reinforces the view that war is shaped not only by bravery and firepower but also by the quality of leadership and strategy on both sides.
