Colonel Patrick Anwunah, Enugu, 1967

Colonel Patrick Anwunah, Enugu, 1967

Colonel Patrick Anwunah, Enugu, 1967

This photograph shows Colonel Patrick Anwunah in Enugu in 1967, at the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), a defining conflict in Nigeria’s post-independence history.

Colonel Anwunah was a senior military officer who played a notable role during the early phase of the war, particularly in the Eastern Region where Enugu served as the administrative and military nerve centre of the secessionist Republic of Biafra. As Nigeria descended into armed conflict following political instability, coups, and counter-coups between 1966 and 1967, officers like Anwunah found themselves at the heart of momentous and often tragic decisions.
Enugu, where this image was taken, was then the capital of the Eastern Region and later the first capital of Biafra. It became a strategic target during the opening months of the war and symbolised the political aspirations and resistance of the Eastern leadership before it fell to federal forces in October 1967.
Patrick Anwunah later documented his experiences and reflections on the conflict in his memoir, providing valuable first-hand insight into the war, its internal dynamics, leadership challenges, and the human cost of the struggle. His account remains an important historical source for understanding the Nigerian Civil War beyond official narratives.
This image therefore represents not just a military officer, but a witness to one of the most consequential episodes in Nigeria’s national story.

Source:
The Nigeria–Biafra War: My Memoirs by Patrick Anwunah