NDIGBO VOTED IZON'S ISAAC BORO BUT HE TURNED AGAINST THEM.
Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro became President of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Students Union in the 1964/65 session, after he defeated Jude Emezie, an Igbo student, with 11 votes.
Igbo students constituted the majority at UNN and Emezie was strongly backed by the out going president, Onyemanze Ejiogu. There was a third candidate, Secretary General Francis Okolie. Igbo students chose Boro, an Izon man to lead them.
Following the flawed Federal elections of 1964, UNN under the leadership of Boro took the Federal Government to court. Boro was First Plaintiff. Second Plaintiff was Emezie.
Boro did not return to Nsukka after that. He chose to remain in Lagos.
The next anyone heard of him was leader, Niger Delta Volunteer Forces.
In March 1966, he declared Niger Delta Republic, hoisting a flag and flaunting a constitution.
Boro was tried by a Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice Phil Ebosie. Boro was defended by Godfrey Amachree. He was found guilty alongside his lieutenants, Sam Timipre Owonaro and Nottingham Dick.
The Supreme Court upheld the judgment. Justices of the Supreme Court were Chief Justice of Nigeria, Adetokunbo Ademola, Ian Lewis, G.B.A. Coker, Charles Daddy Onyeama and Frank Ajegbo.
At no time did the Igbo, through Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi Ironsi and Col. Emeka Ojukwu set up a Kangaroo tribunal to punish Boro.
Boro was released as war broke out and chose to fight on the Federal side wearing the rank of Major.
He helped the 3rd Marine Commandos clear Biafra from the Niger Delta creeks.
It is an open secret that a top Federal officer planned an ambush which killed Boro on May 9, 1968 in Ogu, Okrika, Rivers State. Similar ambush was plotted against Lt.cols Alani Akinrinade and Godwin Alabi-Isama in the Asa area of Biafra.
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