Inside Ojukwu’s bunker in Umuahia

UMUAHIA, the capital city of Abia State, is historical in Nigeria’s history for so many reasons, particularly because of its political antecedents in the 1967-70 civil war between the Biafran army and the federal troop.

Enugu was first used as the capital of Biafran Republic during the war. However, as the federal troop attacked the Biafran army from the Northern part of Nigeria, Enugu became unsafe, hence, the need to go interland of what was then the Biafran Republic. That was when the choice of Umuahia was made.

The curator of the National War Museum, Umuahia, Mr. Omolayo Fadamijo, guided the Nigerian Tribune round the popular Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia. According to him, the personal house of the late premier of the Eastern region, Chief Michael Iheonukara Okpara, in Umuahia, was donated and used to serve as official residence of the leader of Biafra, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.

There was then the need to fortify the place to the level of the status of a military leader and more so, to protect the leader of Biafra and his men from incessant air raid and other attacks by the federal troop.

So, a plan was made to provide a shield and hence, the construction of the bunker that could also serve as an underground escape route which would lead to thick forest around the house in case of any sudden attack.

Quite a beautiful architectural design of a storey building, it can even rival many modern building designs. Till date, the window and doors made of wooden frame and glasses in the personal house of the late premier, had no burglary proof and are still well maintained.

An underground escape route was also built inside the house when it became the official residence of the leader of Biafra. This is separate from the Ojukwu’s bunker.

The entrance to the bunker is located just beside the house. Immediately the door to the bunker is opened, its architectural design is seen placed on the right hand side, showing the components of the bunker.

Graduated steps with hand railings lead one deep down the bunker. The bunker is also equipped with electricity to give illumination and air vents to prevent suffocation while inside. The bunker had two escape routes with iron ladder fixed to the wall leading up to the surface.

It also contains cells for war prisoners, while the conference room has pictures of Biafran leaders of thought like the secretary of the Biafran Army, Mr. N.U. Akpan, Dr. C.C. Mojekwu, Professor Chinua Achebe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr. Pius Okigbo, Professor Kenneth Dike, Dr. Cyprian Ekwensi and Dr. Akanu Ibiam.

Its architectural design is by Frank Mbanefo Associates in Port Harcourt and structural design was by Agbim and Partners also in Port Harcourt. Builders are Mr. Joel Okechukwu Onyemelukwe, who is the principal engineer (building) and Mr. Lawrence O. Okany (late) who was the building superintendent. All the builders of the bunker were in their 30s when they built the bunkers.

The bunker was originally called the Subterranean Office of the government of Biafra. After the war, it was renamed Ojukwu’s Bunker by members of the public. It was built within 90 days from April to June 1968 and is 26.9 feet deep.

It consists of a parlour, secretary’s room, kitchen, bathroom and store. It is accessed through Dr. Michael Okpara’s house and the bunker proper is in Dr. Michael Okpara’s compound. The plan was drawn on April 3, 1968 by Frank Mbanefo Associates.

The furniture used in the bunker are well designed and are located in different parts of this artistic masterpiece. In the parlour, high quality cushion chairs made of plain grey material are seen systematically arranged as to reveal the beauty of the scenery. They consist of one three-seater, four singles, a centre table, four side tables and some ash trays. There is also a small dining table with four chairs.

The secretary’s room has a table and chair. In the kitchen, plain ceramic diner ware, glasses, cutleries, cooking utensils, a cooker and a store are arranged in such a manner as to conform with military orderliness.

The store was used to store drinks, food stuff and many other items. There was no bed in the bunker as Chief Ojukwu never slept in it. All the furniture was made by Mr. David Egonu, who still lives in Enugu State.

The bunker was used for receiving very important visitors, for air shelter, relaxation and for secret meetings.

While there exist other bunkers used during the civil war, Ojukwu’s Bunker stands out as major security edifice and its relevance will long be remembered by many.

 

http://www.tribune.com.ng/24122006/igbo_feat.html

 

ISELOGBE

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