During Nigerian And Biafran War, I Drank My Own Urine To Get Something So My Mouth Won’t Dry -Gowon

Dr. Joseph N. Gowon, a Nigerian soldier who fought during the Nigerian Civil War, has shared a deeply personal account of the hardship he endured on the battlefield, revealing that he was once forced to drink his own urine to survive because of the severe lack of water.

Gowon made the disclosure during an interview on The Yellow Podcast, while reflecting on the realities of the 1967–1970 conflict between the Nigerian government and the secessionist Biafran forces. His remarks offered a rare firsthand account of the harsh conditions experienced by soldiers on the frontlines.

Recounting one of the most difficult moments of the war, Gowon said survival often depended on making painful decisions in the face of extreme deprivation.

“During the Nigerian and Biafran war, personally I drank my own urine to get something so that my mouth will not dry completely. The Igbos were so powerful during the war in terms of technical education,” he said.

Beyond describing the physical suffering, Gowon also acknowledged the technological capabilities demonstrated by the Biafran side during the conflict. He noted that the Igbo people displayed remarkable technical knowledge, which enabled them to improvise and sustain military operations despite the blockade and limited access to resources…....