Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro (September 10, 1938 – May 9, 1968), fondly called “Boro”.
The First Armed Rebellion Against The Federal Republic of Nigeria Was Initiated And Implemented By Major Adaka Boro.
He left school as an undergraduate student of chemistry and student union president at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to lead an armed protest against the exploitation of oil and gas resources in the Niger Delta areas.
Boro believed that the natural resources of Niger Delta benefited mainly the federal government of Nigeria and Eastern region with capital in Enugu and nothing was given to the Niger Delta people.
He wanted the people of Niger Delta to control a larger share of proceeds of their own oil wealth.
He formed the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), an armed militia with members consisting mainly of his fellow Ijaw ethnic group.
On February 23, 1966, they declared the Niger Delta Republic. They fought the federal forces for twelve days before they were defeated.
Boro and his comrades were jailed for treason. But, the military government of General Yakubu Gowon granted Boro amnesty on the eve of the Nigerian civil war in May 1967.
Boro was immediately enlisted and was commissioned as a major in the Nigerian army. He fought on the side of the Federal Government.
He was killed under mysterious circumstances while in active service for military government of Nigeria in 1968 at Ogu (near Okrika) in Rivers State.