Dr. Joseph N. Gowon, a former Nigerian soldier who fought on the federal side during the Nigerian Civil War, has shared a harrowing account of how he refused an order to execute captured Biafran soldiers, saying his decision led to a punishment that has remained one of the most painful memories of the conflict.
Speaking during an interview on The Yellow Podcast, Gowon reflected on his experiences during the 1967–1970 civil war, recounting an incident that highlighted both the brutality of the conflict and the moral dilemmas faced by soldiers on the battlefield.
According to him, his commander instructed him to kill a group of captured Biafran soldiers. However, he said he refused to carry out the order despite repeated demands from his superiors.
“My commander ordered me to go and kill them, I said no. They said what?. They ordered another soldier who was illiterate. He killed them and my punishment was to bury them. I buried the 18 of them in less than 30 minutes,” Gowon said.
He explained that after refusing the order, another soldier was directed to carry out the execution, while he was assigned the task of burying the victims. Gowon described the experience as one that has remained deeply etched in his memory decades after the war ended…..See More
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