<P> Several peace accords were held with the most notable one held at Aburi, Ghana (the Aburi Accord), . There were different accounts on what actually happened in Aburi . Ojukwu accused the federal government of going back on their promises while the federal government accused Ojukwu of distortion and half - truths . Ojukwu managed at Aburi to get agreement to a confederation for Nigeria, rather than a federation . He was warned by his advisers that this reflected a failure of Gowon to understand the difference and, that being the case, predicted that it would be reneged upon . When this happened, Ojukwu regarded it as both a failure by Gowon to keep to the spirit of the Aburi agreement, and lack of integrity on the side of the Nigerian Military Government in the negotiations toward a united Nigeria . Gowon's advisers, to the contrary, felt that he had enacted as much as was politically feasible in fulfillment of the spirit of Aburi . The Eastern Region was very ill equipped for war, outmanned and outgunned by the Nigerians . Their advantages included fighting in their homeland, support of most Easterners, determination, and use of limited resources . </P> <P> The UK - which still maintained the highest level of influence over Nigeria's highly valued oil industry through Shell - BP - and the Soviet Union supported (especially militarily) the Nigerian government . </P> <P> Shortly after extending its blockade to include oil, the Nigerian government launched a "police action" to retake the secessionist territory . The war began on the early hours of 6 July 1967 when Nigerian Federal troops advanced in two columns into Biafra . The Biafra strategy had succeeded . The federal government had started the war, and the East was one defending itself . The Nigerian Army offensive was through the north of Biafra led by Colonel Mohammed Shuwa and the local military units were formed as the 1st Infantry Division . The division was led mostly by northern officers . After facing unexpectedly fierce resistance and high casualties, the right - hand Nigerian column advanced on the town of Nsukka which fell on 14 July, while the left - hand column made for Garkem, which was captured on 12 July . </P> <P> The Biafrans responded with an offensive of their own when, on 9 August, the Biafran forces moved west into the Mid-Western Nigerian region across the Niger river, passing through Benin City, until they were stopped at Ore (in present day Ondo State) just over the state boundary on 21 August, just 130 miles east of the Nigerian capital of Lagos . The Biafran attack was led by Lt. Col. Banjo, a Yoruba, with the Biafran rank of brigadier . The attack met little resistance and the Mid-West was easily taken over . </P>

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