Ejike Obumneme Aghanya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colonel
Ejike Ebenezer Obumneme Aghanya
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| Born | 27 November 1932 Amawbia, Anambra State, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria |
| Died | 3 July 2020 (aged 87) Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria Biafra |
| Service/ |
 Nigerian Army Biafran Armed Forces |
| Years of service | 1963–1970 |
| Rank | Major (Nigerian Army) Colonel (Biafran Armed Forces) |
| Service number | N/349 |
| Commands held | Commanding Officer, Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (NAEME) Kaduna Commanding Officer, Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (NAEME) Army Headquarters Lagos Battalion Commander, 44th Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Battalion Biafran Army Commanding Officer, Research and Production Agency (RAP) Brigade Commander, 58th Brigade of 12th Division Biafran Army Chief of Staff, Biafran Organisation of Freedom Fighters (BOFF) |
| Battles/wars | First Invasion of Onitsha Siege of Owerri Second Invasion of Onitsha Fall of Enugu Operation OAU Operation Tail-Wind |
| Alma mater | Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers |
| Spouse(s) | Comfort Ifeoma Aghanya |
| Other work | Fellow Nigerian Society of Engineers (F.N.S.E.) |
Ejike Ebenezer Obumneme Aghanya (born November 27, 1932 – died July 3, 2020) was a skilled military officer and electrical engineer. He served in the Nigerian Army and later in the Biafran Armed Forces, where he became a colonel. He was involved in important events during a challenging time in Nigeria's history.
Before the Nigerian Civil War, he faced accusations related to a political event in 1966. He was held without a trial until the war began. During the war, he joined the Biafran side and held key positions. He led the Biafran Agency for Research and Production (RAP). This agency was responsible for creating important defense items. These included bombs, rockets, and even special vehicles, which were known as Ogbunigwe.
Later, he became the Chief of Staff for the Biafran Organisation of Freedom Fighters (BOFF). This group was a special operations unit that used guerrilla tactics. He also served as a Battalion Commander and later a Brigade Commander in the Biafran Army during the war.
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His Education and Learning
Ejike Aghanya started his schooling at St Cyprian primary school in Port Harcourt. He then went to Okrika Grammar School in Okrika, finishing in 1953. He earned his first degree in electrical engineering from Yaba College of Technology in 1957.
He continued his studies in the United Kingdom. He attended the London Polytechnic and later the Southampton College of Technology. He graduated in electrical and electronic engineering in 1960. After his studies, he worked for the Nigerian Broadcasting Service. He even became the president of the staff union there.
His Military Journey
In 1962, Aghanya joined the Nigerian Army. He received basic training at the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in Kaduna. He also attended special officer training in the United Kingdom from 1962 to 1963. He officially became an officer in the Nigerian Army on March 2, 1963, with the rank of captain.
He served as the Commanding Officer for the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (NAEME) in Kaduna. In 1964, he was promoted to Major. He then became the Commanding Officer of NAEME at the Army Headquarters in Lagos. He was the first Nigerian to hold this important position.
After a political event in 1966, Aghanya was arrested. He was held without trial with others who were thought to be involved. He was later released in March 1967. This happened on the orders of the governor of the Eastern Region, Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Creating New Things for Biafra
When the Nigerian-Biafran War started in July 1967, Aghanya joined the Biafran Army. He was given the rank of Colonel. He was put in charge of the 44th Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Battalion. A few weeks later, General Ojukwu appointed him to lead the Biafran Agency for Research and Production (RAP).
In this role, Aghanya brought together Biafran scientists and engineers. Their goal was to produce important war materials. They focused on weapons, ammunition, and fuel. Under his leadership, the famous Biafran Ogbunigwe weapon systems were created. These included mines, explosive devices, and rocket-propelled missiles.
The Biafran government claimed that the RAP-produced surface to air missile (called Piom-Piom) was the first rocket designed and launched in Africa. Aghanya supervised the scientific groups. He also made sure they had the raw materials they needed. He was in charge of testing new inventions and training soldiers to use them. His Ogbunigwe teams were sent to different war zones as needed. He played a big part in defending important cities like Onitsha and Owerri.
The Freedom Fighters
As the war continued, it became clear that Biafra needed new ways to fight. Aghanya suggested creating a special guerrilla force. This force would operate behind enemy lines. It would include civilians, even women, trained in sabotage and using RAP-made explosives.
General Ojukwu approved the idea. Aghanya was given the task of setting up and training this new force. It was named the Biafran Organisation of Freedom Fighters (BOFF). They were also called "Rangers." Their ideas were partly inspired by the Viet Cong. Aghanya brought in trainers from South Africa to teach the BOFF troops.
Aghanya became the Chief of Staff for this new branch of the armed forces. The BOFF became a very important fighting force for Biafra. In April 1968, they successfully recaptured Asaba from the Nigerian Army. They also stopped the Nigerian Army from linking up their divisions. By September 1968, they were very active behind enemy lines. The BOFF, under Aghanya, also played a major role in recapturing Owerri in 1969.
His Life After the War
Ejike Aghanya married Comfort Ifeoma Modebelu in 1962 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. He was a founding member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. He was also a member of other engineering organizations.
After the war, Aghanya started his own engineering company. It was called NICON Engineering Company. He was the first person in Nigeria to design and produce traffic lights locally. He was also a member of the Igbo Traditional Chieftaincy Title Holders Association. He held the title Ochiagha-Udo na Amawbia. He was also a founding member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
