Godwin Alabi-Isama
Born (1940-12-24) 24 December 1940
Ilorin, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Kwara State, Nigeria)
Allegiance Nigeria
Service/branch Nigerian Army
Years of service1960–1977
Rank Brigadier general
Commands held3 Marine Commando Division
Battles/warsNigerian Civil War
Alma materMons Officer Cadet School

Godwin Alabi-Isama (born 24 December 1940) is a Nigerian retired military officer,[1] author[2] and statesman who served as chief of staff to Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle of the 3 Marine Commando during the Nigerian Civil War.[3][4]

Early life and education

Alabi-Isama was born on 24 December 1940, in Ilorin, Kwara State, to a Ukwani (Delta State) father and a Yoruba (Ilorin) mother. He attended Ibadan Boys High School.[5] In 1960, he joined the Army and attended the Mons Officer Cadet School in the United Kingdom and the Senior Tactics School and Staff College in Quella, Pakistan.[6] Alabi-Isama was a tactics instructor at the Nigerian Military School in Zaria, Nigeria and the Nigerian Military Training College (now Nigerian Defence Academy) in Kaduna prior to the civil war.[7]

"Alabi-Isama (second right) briefing Col. Obasanjo (third right), Col. (Rev Father) Pedro Martins on plan of Op Pincer2 during the Nigerian civil war"

Brigadier-General Alabi-Isama served as the commander of the troops stationed at the Niger Bridge in Asaba,[8] He was subsequently transferred by the Army Headquarters to the 3 Marina Commando, 3MCDO, operating on the Calabar front during the war.[9][10] Alabi-Isama led forces against the Biafran Republic, successfully liberating various locations including Odukpani, Ikot-Okpora, Iwuru, Akunakuna, Itigidi, Ediba, Ugep, Obubra, Afikpo, Oban, and Ekang. He also "closed" the international border with Biafra at Nssakpa, as detailed in his book, The Tragedy of Victory.[11]

In April 1968, Alabi-Isama and his 3MCDO men embarked on a mission to recapture Creek Town, Itu, Uyo, Ikot-Ekpene, Oron, Eket, Opobo, Abak, Etinan, Bori-Ogoni, Akwete, Afam, Aletu Ekene, Elelenwo, Okrika, and Port-Harcourt, successfully completing the operation the following month."[12] After the war, Alabi-Isama assumed the role of the Nigerian Army's Principal General Staff Officer. In 1973, he served as the Acting Governor of the Mid-Western Region, where he notably received the first group of National Youth Service Corps members, as recounted in his autobiography. Following his retirement as a Brigadier-General from the Army in 1977, Alabi-Isama relocated to the United States.[13]

Role in the Nigeria Civil War

Alabi-Isama played a pivotal role in leading the troops that successfully liberated the remaining parts of Cross River State following Colonel Adekunle's amphibious sea landing at Calabar.[14] Furthermore, he commanded the 3 Marine Commando troops that effectively captured the present-day states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa.[15] His strategic planning, specifically the implementation of the Pincer 2 strategy, played a crucial role in bringing an end to the Nigerian Civil War.[16][17]

Writing

The Tragedy of Victory: On-the-Spot Account of the Nigeria-Biafra War in the Atlantic Theatre is a sequential narrative of the war that lasted from 6 July 1967 to 15 January 1970 which was published in 2013.[18]

References

  1. "Retired Army General links NASCO's founder to terrorism financing". Businessday. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  2. ""Stop lying before you die" – Alabi-Isama rubbishes Obasanjo's book". Dailypost. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  3. "Civil War veteran, Alabi Isama, replies Obasanjo; says ex-president an 'incredible opportunist'". Premiumtimes. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  4. "Brig Gen Alabi Isama at 82What inspired him from childhood to become a soldier". Thenewsnigeria. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  5. "An encounter with Gen. Alabi-Isama". PMNews. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  6. "How Brig Gen Alabi Isama was inspired from childhood to become a soldier". PMNews. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  7. "My Response To Olusegun Obasanjo's "My Watch" By Godwin Alabi-Isama". PMNews. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  8. "How Murtala's error caused death of 1,500 federal troops in a day – Alabi-Isama in memoirs". Thenation. 13 July 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  9. "War Veteran Says Obasanjo's Civil War Memoir Is Full Of Errors". Channels TV. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  10. "Alabi-Isama's memoir: War by other means". Thenation. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  11. "Gen. Alabi-Isama's Biafara". Thenation. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  12. "Okon ambushes General Alabi Isama". Thenation. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  13. "The Platform: Big Talk With Brigadier General Godwin Alabi-Isama (Retd.)". Youtube. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  14. "Lies Achebe told about the civil war, by Gen. Alabi Isama". Thenation. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  15. "Obasanjo a sadist, serial betrayer - Gen. Alabi-Isama". PMNews. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  16. "'The lowest point of my life is meeting Obasanjo' -Brig-Gen. Alabi-Isama". Encomium. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  17. "Throwback: Day Biafrans shot Obasanjo in the buttocks-Gen Alabi Isama". PMNews. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  18. "The real tragedy of victory". Thenation. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
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