A renowned courageous fighter, who did many fighting exploits during the ill-fated Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Col Joe Achuzie aka Air Raid,, has died. He was aged 89.
Achuzia reportedly died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba in the early hours of Monday, February 26, 2019..
Nicknamed ‘Hannibal’, Achuzia famous for having led Biafran forces during the civil war and for his successful air raids against the Nigerian Army.
Col Achuzia led several Biafran units during the war among which were the 11 Div, 13 Div , 15 Div and the Commando Unit of the Biafran Army at a point. He fought gallantly in the battles especially at Oguta,, Abagana, Okigwe and Port Harcourt sectors of the war.
He was fearless and instilled fear on his opponents . His bravery and suicidal features at war fronts earned him the title of Air Raid. With maternal root at Ezza in Ebonyi state and paternal root at Asaba in Delta state, Col Joe Achuzie died defending Igbo cause and seeking for a just , equitable and fair Nigeria state.
He was a one time Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo , leader of Igbozurume, founding member of APGA, and at his latter days the Secretary General of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra. He believed that Ndigbo should be freed to answer Biafrans within a just Nigeria.
“Col Joe Achuzie died a member and top officer of the Olumba Olumba Obu sect and he recently wrote a book on spirituality and life after death,” Chuks Ibegbu, a public affairs analyst, said in a statement on the death of the war veteran..
“Ndigbo, Nigeria , Africa and the world have lost a great warrior, fearless soldier and cerebral genius. With his death the rank of the top Commanders on both sides of the civil war has diminished.”
