“Kurubo: I Was Not a Rebel Officer” — The 1967 Daily Times Front Page During Nigeria’s Civil War

How a 1967 Daily Times headline captured military defection, political propaganda, and the confusion surrounding Nigeria’s civil conflict

A Headline from a Nation at War

The Daily Times newspaper of Wednesday, 6 September 1967, offers a revealing glimpse into one of the most turbulent periods in Nigeria’s history — the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), also known as the Biafran War. The front page carried the bold headline:

> “KURUBO: I WAS NOT A REBEL OFFICER”

The statement was attributed to Lt. Col. George Kurubo, a senior military officer who had served as Nigeria’s first High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and earlier as a key figure in the Nigerian Air Force. At the time, Kurubo’s public denial of association with the Biafran regime under Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu stirred national attention and reflected the political propaganda war between both sides.

Kurubo’s Public Denial

According to the Daily Times report, Lt. Col. Kurubo addressed journalists at a press conference in London, clarifying his position amid rumours that he had joined the Biafran secessionist government. He declared emphatically that he was never appointed to any position in the Biafran administration based in Enugu and distanced himself from Ojukwu’s claims.

Kurubo was quoted as saying that “Ojukwu can’t speak for us,” signalling his rejection of any political allegiance to the Biafran side. His statement came at a time when Nigeria’s unity was under threat, and any association with the Eastern Region’s secessionist movement could easily be seen as treason.

The Civil War Context

The Daily Times issue was printed just two months after the Nigerian Civil War began in July 1967, following the Eastern Region’s declaration of independence as the Republic of Biafra. The conflict emerged from deep-seated ethnic and political divisions, particularly between the Igbo-dominated East and the federal government based in Lagos.

At the time of publication, both sides were heavily engaged in battles for control of key territories, and information warfare was just as fierce as the physical combat. Newspapers such as the Daily Times — one of Nigeria’s leading publications — played a crucial role in shaping public perception by reporting military developments, political statements, and government positions.

Kurubo’s public disassociation from the rebel side was therefore more than a personal clarification; it was also a political victory for the federal government, reinforcing its narrative that not all Eastern officers supported the secession.

Other News on the Front Page

Beyond the war headline, the September 6, 1967 edition of Daily Times reflected the daily life and concerns of Nigerians during wartime:

Police Legal Action: One article detailed how the Nigerian Police Force filed a lawsuit against a Lagos firm seeking £10,000 in damages, a significant sum in the 1960s. The case symbolised the country’s continued efforts to maintain law and order despite the distractions of war.

Local Governance: Another smaller report, titled “Somolu Issues a Warning,” highlighted warnings from local authorities in Lagos, addressing civic and administrative issues at the municipal level.

Advertisements: True to the newspaper style of the time, the page also included commercial advertisements, such as one for a Crowncorder tape recorder — a popular audio device in the 1960s — and another for Chellarams, a well-known trading company that distributed electronics, household items, and imported goods across Nigeria.

These features remind readers that even amid civil unrest, commerce and local administration continued to function, reflecting the duality of war and normalcy in Nigerian society.

George Kurubo: The Man Behind the Headline

Born in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State, George Tamuno Kurubo was a pioneering figure in Nigeria’s military and diplomatic history. He served as the country’s first Air Force Commander before becoming the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in the early 1960s.

When the civil war erupted, Kurubo found himself caught in the middle of political divisions. His London press conference in 1967 was not only an attempt to clear his name but also to reaffirm his loyalty to the Nigerian federation.

Following the war, Kurubo continued to contribute to national service in various capacities. His public life exemplified the complex choices faced by many officers from the Eastern Region during the conflict — torn between ethnic identity and national unity.

The Role of the Press in War-Time Nigeria

The Daily Times was one of the few national newspapers operating during the early months of the civil war. Its coverage reflected both government perspectives and public sentiment, often serving as a historical record of events, speeches, and ideological clashes that shaped the conflict.

By publishing Kurubo’s statement prominently, the newspaper not only reported a breaking story but also participated in the broader political discourse — one where information was weaponised as much as ammunition.

Legacy of the Headline

The “Kurubo” headline remains significant in Nigerian media and political history. It symbolises the confusion, suspicion, and divided loyalties that marked the civil war era. The front page serves today as an archival window into a moment when the nation struggled to hold itself together amid propaganda, fear, and fractured allegiances.

References

Daily Times (Nigeria), 6 September 1967 Edition

Vanguard Archives on George Kurubo

Nigerian Tribune Historical Features