Operation OAU

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Operation OAU
Part of Biafran War
Owerri Aba Umuahia Operation OAU (Nigeria)
Date 2 September–15 October 1968 (1 month, 1 week and 6 days) Location Owerri, Aba, and Umuahia, Nigeria Result Biafran victory
Belligerents
Nigeria	Biafra
Commanders and leaders
Benjamin Adekunle Mohammed Shuwa	Ogbugo Kalu Lambert Iheanacho Joseph Achuzie Taffy Williams
Strength
35,000	10,000–20,000
Casualties and losses
21,500	Unknown but heavy

Operation OAU (2 September – 15 October 1968) was a battle between Nigerian 3 Marine Commando Division (3MCDO) and Biafran 12 Division in modern day south-eastern Nigeria. Operation OAU was an intermittent battle that may have resulted in over 25,000 deaths on both sides. Although the Biafran soldiers were outnumbered, they were able to retain control of Umuahia and eventually recapture the cities of Owerri and Aba.