- The massive July and September killing of the Igbos in the North.
- The breakdown of the Aburi Accords held in Ghana.
- Ojukwu’s declaration of Eastern Nigeria as a sovereign state of Biafra on May 30th, 1967 after the Gowon-led military government had created twelve states out of the four regions.
- The imposition of Gowon as the Head of State after the counter-coup of 1966 instead of Brigadier Ogundipe. In view of this ugly trend, Ojukwu refused to recognize the Gowon-led military government because Gowon was not his senior in the army.
- The creation of twelve states and the declaration of state of emergency by Gowon on 27th May 1967.
- The declaration of total war on Nigeria by Ojukwu, the Governor of Eastern Nigeria
- The discovery of oil in the Eastern part of the country.
- The federal government determined to crush the rebellion and maintain the territorial integrity of Nigeria.