Warfare in Justice: An Ethical Evaluation of the Nigerian Civil War (1967 - 1970)

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between warfare and justice, examining how conflict has shaped human history through moral,religious,and societal views. Drawing on just war theory, biblical foundations from the Old and New Testaments, and ethical frameworks influenced by thinkers like St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, it argues that wars must adhere to principles of legitimacy, proportionality, and accountability to be morallydefensible. This study focuses on the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), popularly known as the Biafran war, highlighting unresolved grievances, ethnic tensions, and cycles of violence. It emphasizes gendered dimensions, where women and girls face disproportionate harms such as sexual violence, and restricted access to education and livelihoods, often perpetuating poverty and stigma. The implications of warfare encompassing physical,psychological (e.g., PTSD, anxiety), and social traumas—are discussed, underscoring the need for a justice-centered approach that prioritizes civilian protection, restorative mechanisms like truth commissions, and humanitarian aid. Religion emerges as a vital tool for peacebuilding, promoting forgiveness, reconciliation, and ethical norms across faiths to heal societal wounds.