1.
LV ARTILLERY FIRING
0.08

2.
GV & CU DITTO (2 SHOTS)
0.22

3.
CU SOLDIER SPEAKING OVER RADIO
0.25

4.
SV TROOPS MOVE OUT
0.30

5.
LV SMOKE RISING FROM PORT HARCOURT
0.35

6.
SV TROOPS ALONG STREET.
0.43

7.
SV PAN TROOPS ON PATROL IN PORT HARCOURT.
0.51

8.
GV & CU DEAD BODY
0.59

9.
LV PAN TROOPS PORT HARCOURT.
1.08



Initials PBS/VS/RM/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: FEDERAL NIGERIAN FORCES CLAIM TO HAVE CAPTURED THE KEY CITY OF PORT HARCOURT, THE LAST STRONGHOLD OF THE TROOPS OF EASTERN NIGERIA, NOW CALLING ITSELF BIAFRA.

THE CITY, ONE OF THE BREAKAWAY PROVINCE'S MAIN INDUSTRIAL AND OIL CENTRES, IS REPORTED TO HAVE FALLEN TO FEDERAL TROOPS ON SATURDAY NIGHT AFTER HOURS OF ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT. HOWEVER, BIAFRAN TROOPS SAY THEIR FORCES STILL CONTROL THE VITAL AIRPORT AT PORT HARCOURT.

PORT HARCOURT IS REPORTED TO HAVE FALLEN TO MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL THIRD ARMY COMMANDO DIVISION, UNDER THE COMMAND OF COLONEL BENJAMIN ADEKUNLE. THE BIAFRAN TROOPS DEFENDING THE CITY ARE SAID TO HAVE RETREATED TO POSITIONS 40 MILES (64 KMS) FROM PORT HARCOURT.

WEEKEND REPORTS FROM PORT HARCOURT SAID THAT ABOUT A QUARTER OF PORT HARCOURT'S POPULATION OF 100-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAD BEEN EVACUATED IN THE FACE OF THE FEDERAL ADVANCE. THE EVACUEES WERE MAINLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THE REPORTS.

EVEN AS THE FEDERAL TROOPS MOVED INTO THE OUTSKIRTS OF PORT HARCOURT, REFUGEES WERE LINING ROADS OUT OF THE BELEAGUERED CITY.

THE LEADER OF THE BREAKAWAY PROVINCE, LIEUTENANT COLONEL OJUKWU, IN A BROADCAST TO THE PEOPLE OF BIAFRA, SAID THE ADVANCE OF THE FEDERAL FORCES HERALDED THE SECOND PHASE OF BIAFRA'S STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE. THIS PHASE, HE SAID WOULD TAKE THE FORM OF GUERRILLA-TYPE COMBAT.