General Alabi Isama, the second-in-command of 3 Marine Commando Division, has stated that when General Olusegun Obasanjo took over as commander of the Division in May 1969, the Nigerian Civil War was expected to end within 30 days. He said Obasanjo remained in charge for six months without achieving that target.
In an interview with Edmund Obilo, General Isama said Obasanjo spent much of his time moving from place to place and attending parties. He said Obasanjo received 8,000 new troops when he was in charge of 3 Marine Commando division but 6,000 of them died. He said despite these heavy losses, Obasanjo kept blaming the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, while still asking for more supplies.
In Isama’s words: “When Obasanjo came in May 1969, the war was to last 30 days. He was there for 6 months. He didn’t tell us he didn’t know what to do. He was visiting here and there, they were receiving him, they were partying there for 6 months and people were dying. In fact, there is a book now written that he got a supply of 8 thousand men and 6 thousand died, he was still blaming Gowon, he still needed more supplies”
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