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This paper examines the fate of the minorities of the defunct Eastern Region of Nigeria in the majority dominated nation-state of Nigeria. The findings show that the Nigerian Civil War (1967-70) was not the genesis of the plight of the minorities. The plight of the minority ethnic groups dates back to the colonial era when the British imperialists merged the desperate kingdoms together to form a federal union known as Nigeria on 1 January, 1914. The amalgamation created a tripartite hegemony which often struggle in a bid to exert control over the state‟s wealth and resources at the exclusion of the other ethnic nationalities on account of their insignificant number. The researchers argue in this work that one of such conflicts was the 30-months of a cascading gorydebacle called Nigerian Civil War in which the peoples of the then Eastern region were meant to pay high price for everything for being considered minorities. Prior to and during the outbreak of the devastating civil strife the minorities of the Eastern Region were the objects of suspicion, intimidation, distrust, arrest, detention, physical and psychological violence, blackmail, forceful population displacement, killings, inter alia. The paper reveals that these minorities were further confronted with the problems of exploitation, marginalization, forceful enlistment into the Biafran army, hostilities and discrimination in the Biafran Refugees camps and food distribution centres. They became the worst refugees as they were trapped between the retreating Biafran soldiers and the advancing federal troops. Besides, they were constantly accused of harbouring and collaborating with either the Biafra or the federal troops. Hence the massive exodus of the minorities of the then Eastern Nigeria across borders to neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Fernando Po and others which were not only close but also had historical links with these minorities. The researchers conclude by recommending far reaching measures that will ensure and sustain equal representation, fair treatment, true federalism and true justice in multi-ethnic country like Nigeria.

Nigerian Civil War and Refugee Crisis: The Fate of the Minorities in the Former Eastern Region