ualties suffered by both sides, including civilians who died from disease and hunger, ranged from 1 million to 2 million people (Nelson Countries of the World).
In March 1967 the FMG issued a decree formally vesting all executive and legislative power in the Supreme Military Council (SMC). Its chairman, General Gowon, was made head of state, and this was thereafter known as the Gowon Government. In addition to Gowon, the SMC included top ranking staff officers, service and police heads, the state military governors, and the civilian administrator of the East Central State. Gowon also was head of government and had a cabinet of ministers composed of military officers and civilian technocrats. The FMG now ruled by decree, although the concurrence of state military governors was sought before decrees were issued. Gowon announced in 1970 that the FMG intended to stay in power until 1976, now the target year for the completion of its political program and the return to an elected civilian government. Gowon outlined a nine point p
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