Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained why he chose not to authorize aerial bombardment of Owerri during the closing stages of the Nigerian Civil War.
Speaking at an event in a video circulated by Arise News, Obasanjo said that although recapturing Owerri was a key military objective, he deliberately avoided bombing the city to prevent civilian casualties.
“Towards the end of the civil war, I had to recapture Owerri. I did not drop a single bomb inside Owerri because it would kill innocent civilians,” he said.
Obasanjo stated that military success should not come at the expense of non-combatants, noting that while airstrikes could have made the operation easier, protecting women, children, and other civilians remained his priority.
He added that military commanders must exercise restraint during armed conflicts and carefully balance operational objectives with the humanitarian consequences of their decisions.
His remarks have renewed discussions about the ethical responsibilities of military leaders during wartime and the importance of safeguarding civilians in conflict situations.
