In October 1969 Ojukwu appealed for United Nations mediation, but Gowom declared that the Igbo-dominated East had accepted no previous concessions and thus made clear that this was a "fight to the finsh." A four-pronged offensive by the federal forces resulted in the collapse of rebel resistance in January 1970.

Estimates of those Biafrans who died from military action, disease or starvation in the 30-month conflict range from one to three million. The region was in ruins — shortages of food, medicine, housing and clothing were widespread; hospitals and schools were in ruins, as were all urban centers. Charges of genocide were leveled against the federal government.

However, Igbo officers were included in the reconfigured federal government as Nigeria struggled to re-establish its union and its democracy following the brutal civil war.