After an 8-day offensive a 10 boat armada of Nigerian soldiers crossed the Niger River and forced defending Biafrans to retreat.

Gen. Mohammed's war machine rolled on, smashing through Biafran made obstacles, including detonated bridges.

Despite heavy casualties Col. Mohammed's troops stormed Udi followed by Ozala a few days later, cutting off the S Division from the rest of Biafra.

With artillery and aerial assistance the Nigerians rolled on and managed to overrun numerous towns and cities.

Although the Nigerians were forced to pay with heavy casualties, they managed to capture Onitsha while the Biafran 11th Division retreated to Nnewi.