The Nigeria civil war, also known as the Biafran War, was fought between 1967 and 1970. It was fought between the Nigerian government, led by General Yakubu Gowon, and the secessionist state of Biafra, which was led by Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. The war was fought in order to preserve the unity of Nigeria as a sovereign nation. The Biafrans had declared independence, which the Nigerian government saw as a threat to its territorial integrity. The war led to the loss of over a million lives and caused significant damage to infrastructure and the economy. Ultimately, the Biafrans surrendered and Nigeria remained a united country.