THE SECURITY SITUATION IN NIGERIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A002300530001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 9, 2001
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: July 15, 1967
• Content Type: SUMMARY

For Rel a 2001/03/22 OA-RDP79TO01WA002300
MEMOR UM FOR:
: Mr. Thomas Hughes
Attached is the evaluation
of the security situation in
Nigeria which you requested
yer,ter a-Y.
STATINTL
15 July 1967
(DATE)
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REPLACES FORM 10-101 (47)
WHICH MAY BE USED.
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15 July 1967
The Security Situation in Nigeria
Summary
Nigeria, including the secessionist Eastern Region
of Biafra, remains reasonably calm outside of the embattled
areas along the northern border of Biafra. Almost all US
citizens have been withdrawn from the vicinity of the fighting,
and there are no indications that they are in-immediate
danger either in the Eastern Region or the rest of Nigeria.
The situation all over the country is so fluid, however,
that the safety of US citizens could quickly be put in
jeopardy. For instance, the federal troops now fighting
along The Biafran border are predominantly northerners, and
anti-US sentiment has been rising in the North. Americans
in Biafra might be endangered if these forces broke through
to the South. Similarly, Nigerians who support the federal
government might blame the US and Britain if federal forces
suffer a stunning defeat or a prolonged stalemate. Additional
danger could develop if the long-restive Yorubas in the
West should revolt against Northern domination. In the
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North itself, anti-American sentiment is growing. Finally,
there is always a possibility of spontaneous mob violence
in any region.
American Citizens in Nigeria
1. There are 1,000 American citizens and dependents
still in Biafra. Some 900 dependents left the region in
June. Of the American citizens remaining, some are employed
by the oil industry at Port Harcourt, some are missionaries
spread throughout the countryside, and some are Peace Corps
volunteers scattered throughout Biafra. Only about 50 are US
officials. In addition to the Americans there are some 5,000
British citizens and much smaller number of Canadians and other
Europeans.
2. In the remainder of Nigeria there are about 6,000
Americans: Over 2,000 in the former Northern Region, about
2,000 in the Lagos and Mid-West areas, and some 1,5000 in the
former Western Region.
The State of the War
3. The federal government appears to be doing fairly well
at the moment. The federal army's drive into Biafra apparently
has captured the key junction points of Nsukka in the north-
west-and Ogoja in the northeast. The navy's fairly effective
blockade has impeded the flow of arms into Biafra and has caused
some scarcity of foodstuffs. Moreover the federal gov-
ernment has greater means to secure
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international military assistance such as the six Czech
jet figher-trainers which Lagos reportedly expects later
this month. If the federal air force can quickly find
qualified pilots to fly them, this transaction could have
an important effect on the outcome of the war.
4. Notwithstanding these successes, the outcome can
not be predicted and the war could go on for some time.
The federal army has more resources than do the Biafrans, but
it faces enormous logistical problems and it is moving
into a region where the population is hostile. Moreover,
its overland movement is hampered and its men and equipment
are being severly strained by the rains now in progress.
Situation in Eastern Nigeria
5. Most Biafran Ibos are maintaining a fairly normal
pattern of life despite the war on their northern border
and the stringent economic blockade. However, the million Ibo
refugees who have flocked into Biafra from the rest of
Nigeria, are still restive and unpredictable. Thus far,
expatriates--foreigners of all nationalities--have been
generally well treated, although the Biafrans have resented
the departure of many expatriate technicians and administrators.
Ibos--many of whom have studied in the US--generally like
Americans, and the US community in Biafra seems to be in
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little danger from the local populace. (Americans might
be in considerable danger if federal troops moved south.)
The British are less favorably regarded by the Ibos, who
believe that Britain has historically shown partiality toward
Northerners.
6. A new wave of expatriate evacuation is now in pro-
gress. The 145 Peace Corps volunteers--most of them left
unemployed by Biafra's closing of its schools--are already
on the way out. A more general evacuation has also begun,
stimulated by the federal government's decision of 14 July
to permit a ship or ships to pass through the blockade
to Port Harcourt to evacuate foreigners. Lagos stressed
that this would be a one-time operation for all countries
and would be the last time such permission will be granted.
The British may act as coordinators for the operation since
they have the most evacuees and ships available. The US
Embassy in Lagos reports that it will take several days to
get the ships to Port Harcourt, and it recommends that in
the meantime American citizens continue to move across the
Niger River into the Mid-Western Region.
Situation in the Remainder of Nigeria
7. The federal government, in the midst of its pre-
occupation with the war in Biafra, must also keep its eye
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on restiveness elsewhere in Nigeria. In Lagos itself, the
war seems far away, although there have been some sabotage
attempts, probably by Ibos. Federal police and army units
have strengthened security measures and there are roadblocks
in strategic locations.
8. The Yorubas of the Western Region are resentful
over the continuing presence of the Northern-dominated
army. With federal forces in the area now depleted, a
federal defeat in Biafra could result in a Yoruba uprising.
There have recently been small-scale riots in Ibadan, the
Western capital, where police are undermanned:
9. The Mid-West Region has a serious Ibo problem of
its own with many of its large minority Ibo group sympathizing
with Biafra. The Mid-West has already. refused northern
troop transit, and if the federal government decides to
move through the region against Biafra, there. could be resist-
ance by the Ibo tribesmen.
10. Gowon's government is also at odds with the US
and UK. Lagos has reacted sharply to UK and US refusal to
supply substantial amounts of arms for the federal military
effort. Gowon was particularly upset over the US refusal,
in view of the assistance the US has just given the Congolese
Government. Nigerian press and radio, particularly in the
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"hawkish" North, have indulged in vitriolic criticism of
the US in comparing the mercenary revolt in the Congo with
Biafran secession.
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