Samuel Owonaru

Chief(Captain) Samuel Owonaru (Rtd) was a chief of staff of the Niger Delta volunteer force in 1966. He was arrested and tried by the Nigerian government and sentenced to death. He was in prison waiting execution for a few months until a counter coup brought General Gowon to power and released him from jail. Between 1967-1970 Samuel Owonaru was a captain in the Nigerian army. He fought on the side of the Federal government against the separatists for the Biafra State. He sustained a serious injury during the Civil War and was left wheelchair bound.