Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi: Did the General Deserve to Die?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 พ.ค. 2024
- As of the time the officers who carried out Nigeria’s first military coup d’état stopped firing, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was the only senior officer of the Nigerian Army High Command who was still alive as of the morning of January 15, 1966.
The General had survived the bloody coup by outwitting his killers. Not only did he escape death, but he also rallied some troops loyal to him and subsequently crushed the coup.
However, Aguiyi-Ironsi would later be killed in a horrible manner six months later in another coup d’état on July 29, 1966. #HistoryVille
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Video Credits: Nigeria History Channel, Adeyinka Makinde, Videvo.net
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:50 Aguiyi-Ironsi: An Early Life
02:25 Life in the Nigerian Army
04:28 How Ironsi became Nigeria’s First Army Chief
06:56 Nigeria’s First Military Coup D’état
10:08 How Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi Escaped Death in the January 1966 Coup D'etat
12:43 Ironsi as Nigeria’s First Military Head of State
14:01 The July Northern Counter-Coup and Ironsi’s death
15:45 Next Video
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The coup of 1966 is still haunting Nigeria till date!
Aguyi Ironsi story is the real definition of tragedy.
How evil the Nigeria govt is. A man murdered in cold blood and till date they have refused to immortalise him
It seems that you are yet to learn that in the contraption called "Nigeria", being unsuccessful in a coup plot earned you a day at the execution stake at Bar Beach, Lagos. But if you succeeded you would be immortalised as a hero and garlanded with GCFR national merit award.
Case in point was that of Mr Murderoustala Ramrod Mohammed who was saved from summary dismissal from the army by the intervention of his erstwhile instructor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu with the reigning British GOC. He later achieved the status of mythical proportions despite his bloody trail and the infamy of the Asaba massacre during the oil war of genocide. 'nuff said.
All these evil started immediately the white
people handed office to us. . .till today.
Aguiyi ironsi cantonment
And Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Who was killed in a most heinous and most tribalistic attack. We can’t forget that great man either! Watch videos of him. Or, watch his “visit to the US.”. You’ll see the man, not just the name.
@@emekaezeokoli1287👍
This History of Nigeria evokes pain and disillusion and hopelessness.
Safe to say in hindsight, that every subsequently military ruler learned from Ironsi's mistakes.
I swear!
@@Majority33 ode fulani has the population and backing from their colonial masters, they wouldn't have stayed long without power. use your head
@@chimaobiwogu3361
Why calling someone ode? Is it a cultural thing in your tribe to belittle people and verbally abuse them in conversations?
That's primitive.
when you say "cleaned house" please tell me what you meant
@@chimaobiwogu3361 y u Dey insult am na Eloquent Fool
Narrated history never paints the whole picture, no matter how sincerely presented. Good job. I enjoyed the honest perspective you brought into it.
Keep up the good work I love your content
Thank you very much for this account. Ironsi was a tragic figure in those days of storm and fever. Had he been proactive and more strategic, he might have been able to rein in those aggrieved by the events of January 15, especially the July 29 coupists. This might have averted Nigeria's slide into anguish and brutality, thus altering the whole course of its history. We'll never know...
There's a conglomeration of events that led to the civil war (Coup, counter coup, Pogrom, Aburi failure, secession...), but in that butterfly effect, Ironsi's death was the point of no return in my opinion. Had Ironsi been alive, the war would have been averted.
@@babangidanzegwu1476 Had Ironsi tried the majors rightly for treason and murder and not made decree 34 its say to say all that happened would have probably not occurred . That autonomy they had back then even if that was total had been working and resources was shared equally and the premiers looked out for their own in the own respective regions it wasn't perfect but it worked for all 4 regions and everyone was content , all the power struggle happened at the federal level not regional and nobody would have been claiming marginalization by the federal government . Ironsi should have never taken power all he had to do was just foil the coup and have Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe do the politicking and a new prime minister would have been elected but he tried to take advantage of a timid nation under siege by his own department which he was in charge . Its like wanting to get rewarded for doing your own damn job
@@rodneywilliams9209 I really agree with you totally. It suffices to say that his indecisiveness, myopia, and greed landed him into the mess that took his life. What a pity. I really do pity the man's place in history. I really do!
@@bigman7185 Its actually sad that some people allowed tribalism to shield their sense of good judgement and reasoning , Nigeria would be so much better and even rival south africa if people had just settled their differences amicably instead of turning to violence all the time. People are really sabotaging fellow countrymen so they can be able to point the finger and call them all sorts of horrible names but one thing we always keep forgetting is that we can call each other names and blame other people for out misfortunes which is the easiest way or we can start reasoning as one and build the nation for the betterment of all of us , Nigeria will never be broken into pieces they are far too many tribes and nations with each having their own unique qualities that could form a part of a economic and cultural power house that could overwhelm the whole continent but rather here we are cutting off our noses to spite our faces forgetting that its still a part of our face whether we like it or not .
@@babangidanzegwu1476 ... averted.
First of all, I would like to give credit to @Historyvile for making this masterpiece even though in the comment section, most commenters say some information was either inaccurate or incomplete. As a Nigerian, knowing this part of the history of my country is quite cathartic yet tragedic. I don't think we should point fingers at this point because the country today is becoming hell on earth which makes our nation inhabitable day by day. Because we are Nigerians, we are all Hausas, Igbos and Yorubas and instead of apportioning blames, we could begin on a new slate by living through our humane consciousness towards one another. Most importantly Nigeria then had its issues because most of the citizens were illiterates and only made uneducated decisions which I believe is one of the issues till today. I believe Nigeria could be great in a few years if the majority of us start identifying with our Nation Nigeria rather than states of origins or LCAs. GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
My main problem with Ironsi is that he ended Nigeria's young democracy and he centralized Nigeria's economy and that would give room for corruption. Till date, we run a centralized government instead of embracing true federalism.
Look for Oil Politics and Violence by Max Siollun and read. He did it because he did not want one region to be powerful than the other because that was of the reasons of the Coup. But Ironsi naivety was his tragedy. Like the narrator stated, Ironsi was looked down on by the members of the military but there was another reason: He was not educated. Nzeogwu and Ifeajuna who were educated saw Ironsi as a nobody and even mocked that the only position Ironsi could manage was an office clerk. Ironsi crushed the coup because of his domineering size.
Read Oil, Politics and Violence by Max Siollun
Best book I have ever read in my life
👍👍thank you
You are doing a fantastic job. You are very appreciated.
I would love you to talk about Samuel Kanyon Doe, Captain Thomas Sankara and Muammar Gadaffi.
Oh there's a video on Thomas Sankara in this channel
@@olohialli9289
Oh. Thank you.
I didn't realize that
I'll check.
Maybe Nigeria deserves to set up a truth and reconciliation process/commission so that people can come and speak up and say what they know, I'm sure it will help the country heal
His singular act of not prosecuting the coup plotters sealed his fate. He should have known better.
What makes you think that if Ironsi had tried and prosecuted the coup plotters, that would have pacified the North? Why was the North more aggrieved with the events of the coup than the West that also lost one of the finest political gems, Akintola? Why did the midwestern Region that lost Okotiebo not revolt against the Easterners? There are so many things that went untold and until now, you can still write the most accurate account of that event that led to the death of Ironsi, yet some part of the narrative will appear sketchy.
@@ikechukwuachilonu1260 Simply put, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. If Ironsi had ruthlessly persecuted the coup plotters the North would've seen him as someone they could relate with. Not doing so sealed his fate.
@@ikechukwuachilonu1260 Did you not research the civil war , most of the tribes fought against the East during the war , the east was isolated and when Gowon created more states which was what the minority tribes in the whole country wanted at that time all the support was for the federal military government and secondly Northerners were angry Ironsi unified the system of running the country which still haunts Nigeria till this day . out of the 22 people killed during Jan. coup the vast majority were from the north hence the anger and there were magazines from the east mocking the northerners , see drum magazine where the picture of the sarduana with Nzeogwu's foot on his dead body and in the military 80% of the officers were Igbo but only one of them was killed you kill the the majority of the northerners in that field too and you expect them to be chill about it and just brush it off
@@ikechukwuachilonu1260 Igbos were the most educated at the time so if you take power from the states and give it to the government the Northerners felt the Igbos were going to take over their jobs . The system in the 60s wasn't perfect but it was fair to all the regions , wealth of the country was distributed equally amongst all the states but when you want to make the center stronger and fill it with your Igbo colleagues then that becomes a total different matter entirely and the only reason Igbos were more educated is that Christian missionaries came to the south first and they were banned by the British from venturing up north.Northerners also favored Islamic education thereby leaving them lacking behind in western education when the British were leaving.
Ironsi is a perfect and ditrabalised character worthy of emulating
Young Ironsi was a dead ringer for Will Smith!! Absolute doppelgänger!!
Please kindly do a video on Victor Banjo.
Please can you make videos on efik and ibibio
Does anyone know the name of the intro music 🎶 🙏 pls
A movie should be done on the Jan 15th coup and its counter-coup
It’s so sadden that no condemned the counter coup that wasted and got rid of Igbo officers from the army by their so called brothers in arm.
For 2 days, Nwafor Orizu superintended the affairs of Nigeria before Gowan was named the head of state. So, you could call the former a 2 day interim president. Correct me if I’m wrong. Thanks.
Save to say that if they have taken the recommendation of the outgoing British General, and appointed Ogundipe instead of Ironsi, the course of Nigerian history would not be the same. Sad
Deceive yourself, so appoint incompetent people
@@johnnwabuforudemezue1108 Who said Ogundipe was incompetent?
@@johnnwabuforudemezue1108
Ben Nwabueze was SO competent that he drafted the unitary constitution that is troubling Nigeria almost 60 years after but he now wants "his" constitution "restructured" back to the constitution he helped suspended.
Ojukwu was so competent that he "won" the civil war? Right?
Oh!!! Awo was "not" competent that he executed free education in the West, established the first TV station in the whole of Africa, before Ireland, and, even before your competent leaders thought of it? Right?
Maybe the competency you were referring to is dealing in in your mkpuru mmiri.
@Ify _Xtinct No one hates nobody, "aboki na."
The three-man committee (from a single section of Nigeria) that recommended the change of the generally-accepted federal constitution to unitary constitution unitarily, which was ratified or decreed by Ironsi, without consultations with other component units of Nigeria is still the root of ALL evils in Nigeria of today.
If those Ironsis had been in power longer than the 6 months that they had, Nigeria would have been worse off today. The effects of their actions/inactions within a month of their homicidal forceful takeover of government still linger on 60 years after.
No one in Nigeria benefited from the Ironsi coup of 1966 today, except for the weakened regional reversed progress which further weakened the central government.
The same foremost Prof. Ben Nwabueze of the three-man committee now wants the current unitary constitution he helped hatched to be changed back to the earlier true federal constitution there was before he and the other two advised the change to unitary constitution. What changed?
The erudite Prof is still alive today. Please, ask him. Without genuine acceptance of the error in judgement by the first coup plotters,, and without saying sorry, other sections or tribes of the country will be always think twice with propositions from those that justify the Ironsi coup. What do you think?
Maybe the trajectory of Nigeria would have changed for development today if the coup plotters and their enablers have been promptly punished, and justice and reconciliation are pursued, there wouldn't have been the unnecessary reprisal killings of innocent Ndigbos in the north and the horrific Biafra war.
@@Majority33 you seem to miss somethings. Ogundipe was recommended by the British because he seemed Apolitical and was amenable to their control but in terms of competence Ogundipe wasn't. when he was the number 2 man to Ironsi he wasn't supervising Gowon and as such left so much power to Gowon which made the July coup very easy even in the event of the mutiny he wasn't able to command troops as no troop feared him unlike Ironsi who the northerners knew had to be killed if not troops would be mustered against them again. Ojukwu did gallantly because it is even a shame to the Nigerian army that they fought for 3 years against a ragtag army that was starving an had little ammunition and even initially lost territory up to Ore in the war. Awolowo did well but ironically I think the media overhyped him so much. Did you know that M.I Okpara did so much more than Awolowo. Do you know that despite the free education in the Western Region from 1940 to 1966 the enrollment numbers for Primary and secondary schools in the Eastern region were more than the Western Region? the Eastern region in 20 years from 1910 to the late 1930s had bridged the gap and overtook the West in Education. if you don't believe me check the data on the history of education by Prof Babatunde Fafunwa. Also there were two power stations built in the Eastern region(Afam and Oji river) while the west only had Ijora which was built by the colonial government also Okpara Built TransAmadi Industrial layout, He built Nkalagu Cement factory, Onitsha industrial layout and other project, the shocking part was he did this without Oil money oooo because Nigeria had not started making money yet from oil. If youbread Nigerian history you will begin to question some things
Weldone guys!!! Generations must know our history and all those who participated in it - good or bad.
Ironsi's training abroad was never nsync with the realities on ground in Nigeria. The mistakes he made cost him even if probably he had a good intention. However, the likes of TY Danjuma and co executed an extra judicial killing based on tribalism and were no different from the first coup plotters. And the rebound effect later gave birth to the likes of Ojukwu and the then the civil war. Today...we still drowning in same mindset of these young officers - (tribalism and ethnicity) whose age grades today still do not want to know left from right. We have a lot to change and learn.
I like your objectivity -- sort of -- largely devoid of tribal colouring. Yes Ironsi as a fallible human being had his shortcomings, however, truth be told, if his priority had been self-preservation he would have easily accomplished that without batting an eye. His fault lied in trusting too much, even going as far as "exposing" the ones from his ethnicity that came to warn him about the impeding military putsch.
The oil war of genocide [misnamed "Civil War"] and the resultant subjugation and marginalisation of the Igbo till date would have been avoided if not for Ironsi's avoidable mistakes of political naivete and taking things for granted. 'nuff said.
That is why when Danjuma started crying out about the killing of his people by Fulani supremacists, it seemed like poetic justice. Sadly the same military institution he served in is alleged to be in collaboration with the supremacists. No one else but him, made the allegation.
@@emekaezeokoli1287When will you guys learn objectivity and stop all these juvenile ranting. What is marginalization ? and who is marginalizing the Igbos? What rights do I enjoy as a Nigerian that is denied to the Igbos ? You guys destroyed Nigeria by murdering non Igbo Political leaders .Your people destroyed the first republic just 5 years into independence. Despite all protestations you declared a republic . The Igbos introduced murder as a weapon of negotiation into Nigerian politics . The audacity of Igbo revisionist history is becoming vexatious . I come from the Niger Delta . There is no freedom I enjoy as a Nigerian that is denied to the Igbos . The unitary system that is the bane of Nigeria today was ushered in by an Igbo . It is very vexatious to see the perpetrators calling themselves victims. It is time Nigeria should let the Igbos exit Nigeria . It is becoming tiresome to live with a people with perpetual grudge.
@@avigrett1484And they won't answer your comment
I find it incredible that Aguiyi Ironsi survived the coup plot of Nzogwu only because he went to a second party. These things are planned relatively well and they must have know where he was because the would normally confirm if he was at home before attacking. Even if there were not a lot of phones then, they must have had someone watching him, given that he was the most senior military official. Then the question is, How could they have missed that Ironsi was not at home? They somehow wanted to spare him.
You just want to convince yourself and other prejudiced minds that Ironsi was part of the first coup. Shake it off bro.
@@chiranking777 I never said he was part of the coup. Neither was Zik a victim probably because he was Igbo too.
What saved Babangida in Orkar Coup was a slight change of plans when he wasn't supposed to be Aguda House
Aguiyi foiled the coup from being successful and had them arrested. Don't you think a man like Nzeogwu won't like to fail? If he probably know where Aguiyi was, he will surely be taken regardless Aguiyi was not just a soldier
Yakubu Gowon was not the most senior but nice work.
Mr Ironsi may not took part but in may jave given is approval in life you cannot be that lucky
And they say partying is bad 😂
Ironsi was thinking that Nigeria was still one do to the way he was brought up across Nigeria. Normally an Igbo that was born in the north and west always believes that his a northerner as well westerner. He felt relax without remembering the rules of war, that even at peace with your enemies you must be cautious.
Just like Ojukwu, right? Because he was born in the North and raised in the west.
I wish he was smart enough to try to know the real cause of the first coup and be cautious
@@dericksilva8797 exactly, he was so relaxed
Just like Nzeogwu? He was born and raised in the North but when the time came he led the group that killed Ahmadu Bello.
@@naturalblockade3412 yes he behave like a true northerner that hate corruption and hate speech like Aahmed Bello would always speak Ill of other people . Is that not how a northerner behaves ? I’m sure you watched his interview on why he went for a coup and you should stop being tribalistic and emotional next time on historical page
If Life begins at 40? Is it safe to say Ironsi died a fulfilled man?
Nice video.
Thanks.
Ogundipe was the most senior officer in the army after ironsi’s demise
Nice video though
Correct but at that point, even Ogundipe couldn't control the non-commissioned troops anymore. They were pissed and bloodthirst, they'd rather listen to officers way more junior to Ogundipe.
And to be fair to Gen. Ogundipe, non of their trainings actually prepared them for those events. He was both confused and lost.
@@BabaDee08 you are right…after rewatching the video, i noticed that he said “most senior northern officer” and that was yakubu ‘jack’ gowon
@@BabaDee08 The only thing to say is that Ogundipe chickened out though. His orders were ignored by a Northern sergeant who preferred to take orders from Captaiin Joseph Nanven Garba. This caused Ogindipe to do a quick rethink. Do you know his next move? Ogundipe then approached the Brtiish High Commission for assistance in fleeing Nigeria. This was granted when Ogundipe was granted refuge in a British warship berthed off the coast of Lagos. The path was then clear for Gown to take over even though Col. Robert Adeyinka Adebayo was more senior to Gowon. We saw almost the same scenario play out in the General Diya saga.
@@ekusondebango3568 Thanks man, that was very informative.
@@BabaDee08 I assume that you are thanking me literally with your tongue in your cheek.
Shocking and terrible that Ironsi had to die in the hands of those who were offended by the same coup, that Ironsi was the major officer to quell.
Gowon should before he dies do an honest interview on how Ironsi an Igbo man and Hilary Njoku another Igbo man quelled a coup that was purportedly an Igbo coup.Ironsi did not deserve to be murdered for the coup of Jan 15,1966
Ironsi failed to see that ethnic bigotry has eaten deep into the fabric of Nigeria and let his guard down. So sad
His biggest mistake was the weakening of the regions.
Exactly, he strengthened the center and weakend the regions.
Of course he saw the "ethnic bigotry" and he favored it by doing away with the powers of the states and not even trying the coup plotters. This was the first and only time it happened in the history of coups in Nigeria.
There is probably no alternative. He changed the form of government from federal to unitary/centralized, thereby taking away the powers of the states or regions. He is an Ibo and none of those (mostly Ibo's) involved in the January 1966 coup was convicted, not even tried. This was the first and only time in the history of military coups in Nigeria.
But 60 or years later who has tried Any killer herdsmen where is Abubakar Sheakau the Boko Haram leader, who has tried the killers in southern Kaduna, plateau Benue. Who?.
Gowon didn't try the coup plotters either.
@@ifeanyibenjamin4969because it was a response to your tribalistic coup plotters.
What is the failed of Nigeria government rich country but the people are poor especially the youth God bless ñigeria amen
In all youve said, you never mentioned Sir Wellington Bassey.
Tribalism and oppression from the 3 biggest tribes in Nigeria didnt start today.
Wellington Bassey was a aenior to Ironsi.
People were meeting their death at same night JAI was playing Parte after Parte
Unfortunatly for Ironsi he, due to no fault of his own, re-enforced the perception of the northern officers of an igbo coup. not withstanding that it was a coup of revenge and may have been killed for that reason alone. It was a coup to ensure the Northern Aristocracy was back in control of the nation and needed a "neutral" puppet front man for their rule. Gowon was never in control of Nigeria. Killing the great grandson of Usman Dan Fodio was always going to bring about a bloody and uncontrolled revenge.
Yes "killing the grandson of Usman Dan Fodio" by Ibo coup plotters while sparing the lives of their own. What do you mean by "Gowon was never in charge of Nigeria"? Please provide reason (s) for that statement. The "Northern Aristocracy" was never back to rule Nigeria.
It wasn't just the perception of the Northern officers (that it was an Igbo coup) but that of most Nigerians.
This man call irosin is the one who brings Nigeria to this yeye unity sistemem the one who brings Nigeria to this yeye unity sistemem
From the story is Dawn to everyone that qualify people can not lead the country for a long time without being killed,or over powered by top citizens,so how can we get solutions the country?
A #Bloody past and history ,healing,reconciliation was never achieved .
D ghosts of many innocent people killed in d 60's are still hunting Nigeria
Imagine if Aguyi ruled for like 10-20 years, Naija for don soft
Lol it would have not been possible because North feared Southern domination after Aguiyi pull away from federation and install unitary/central form of government.
In the 60's the Southern part which comprises the West (Yoruba) and East (Igbo) were more educated so they feared of power going to the south prior Aguiyi also being an Igbo man.
Slight correction- You claimed that Gowon was the most senior surviving officer in 15:14 - 15: 24. However, It was Gen. Ogundipe. That was part of Ojukwu's grouse as he claimed that if it was by seniority, Ogundipe should have been head of state. Because Ojukwu was the 1st university graduate to join the Nigerian army, his level was backdated in such a way that he & Gowon were more or less on the same level. However, we all know it was disguised tribalism that produced Gowon as head of state. The northerners really wanted Murtala Mohammed but they knew that he was too junior (having been the recipient of multiple double promotions) & hot-headed. The southerners would have probably fully revolted in such a scenario. Gowon was a Christian northern minority member & more levelheaded so he was chosen.
How many times do we correct this? We said "the most senior NORTHERN officer". Please, be calming down, ehn?
@@HistoryVille My apologies!!!
Murtala was born in the North, but his parents were originally from South South, his tribes are called Kukuruku from Auchi
The first university graduate to join the Nigerian Army was Maj. Gen. Olutoye ftom Ondo state. He is now the king of his hometown. Emeka Ojukwu was the third university graduate to join the Nigerian Army. Please check this out and correct your record.
When you cover the coup of 1995 and 1997, please don't wake me up. 😔
@highbury10: why shouldn't we wake you up? Is it because you don't think the coup we even take off judging by the characters involved? You mean to tell me these characters are so incompetent that you will rather go back to sleep than worry?
He escaped his killers just like Azikiwe and Primer of the eastern region escaped.
Igbo officers executed the coup. All the other ethnic leaders were killed. An igbo officer became head of state as a result. He didn’t prosecute the coup plotters. To add insult to injury, he unified the civil service. The northerners protested. He didnt listen.
Please tell me, what were the affected ethnicities supposed to conclude? Unfortunately, for him, the northermers dominated therank and file of the army
His failure to prosecute the coup plotters was what indicted him.One Nigeria is only on the national television!
it was just an excuse to kill him
You have not been fair in Aguyis story, telling Us he was not part of the coup is not possible.
Ironsi fail to listen like Jonathan did
In order not to arouse suspicion that he was part of the coup, he should have declined the role of head of state and allow a northerner to rule instead as compensation for the assassination of Balewa.
He was actually not part of the coup, his inactions and weird actions of the decree was his doing. Even though the coup wasn't tribal, the optics made it one and his actions did exacerbates those concerns.
P.S. Muritala was going to break Northern Nigeria away from the Union after the death of Ironsi but he was advised not to do so and they replaced him with Gowon since he was moderate and less radical
@@BabaDee08 the coup was tribal 100% igbo coup
@@muhammadmustapha1998 I completely understand the eventual outcome of the coup, it became tribal even though it didn't start out as one. You also have to understand that, the officers were mostly idealistic in their early 30's and some even in their late 20's. They completely misunderstood the situation that faced the country back then and also never considered the repercussions of their actions.
I don't want to sound like I'm defending the coup plotters but you should know there were some northern officers that participated in the first coup. Making the entire ordeal tribal was JT Ironsi's fault, (God rest his soul). He was a largely inexperienced and he ended up surrounding himself with his kinsmen who decided to take advantage of the situation the coup had provided. Indirectly, it became tribal, not because it started out as one.
@@BabaDee08 too much talk no dey full basket. How many people did the northerners/ yorubas kill? We all know Nzeogwu lead it in kaduna, ifeajuna in lagos, and igbo man in ibadan. No coup took place in East the plotters home. I know ademoyega was among but how many people did he killed? Another igbo man got power refused to tie his fellow igbo for treason (first time in Nigeria) another man Adaka boro declared secession two igbo men tie him and sentenced him to death under the might of One Nigeria. Months later ojukwu did same and he's expecting NG to fold thier arms and look him. Funnily the balewa Government had over 70% igbos and non was killed. The likes of Balewa, maimalari and Co DIDNT resist arrest and were killed in cold blood only for being northerners. Anywhere Thank God Murtala mohammed(God rest his soul)/ counter coup Happen.
I felt ironsi got a heads up... It was very obvious in the way he handle the trials of the coup plotters which were mostly igbos
@Oluwatobi Badejo: How do you suppose that Ironsi handled the trials of the coup plotters which were mostly Igbos like Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi and Col. Victor Banjo, Major Adewole Ademoyega and many others?
@@ekusondebango3568 Ride on bro, give them hell! You are my type of guy -- cerebral, high intellect and not easily shaken. Mr Buhari, who has squandered his goodwill and made a mincemeat of his military reputation for aversion to corruption -- by his religious, tribalistic proclivities and barefaced, undiluted nepotism -- can foolishly ban history from the schools all he wants, but all ain't lost as long as people like you remain. 'nuff said.
@@ekusondebango3568 Also Lt John Atom Kpera, an "Igbo" from Gboko, Benue State who later became the pioneer military governor of the Old Anambra State!
Space would not permit listing all the "Igbo" commissioned officers [albeit junior ones] like one Sani Bello(?) obviously from the North. Or so many "Igbo" non-commissioned officers and recruits baying for the blood of ceremonial governor of Northern Region, Sir Kashim Ibrahim whom Major Timothy Onwuatuegwu took into protective custody in order to shield him from being lynched by his "Igbo" kith and kin! 'nuff said.
@@emekaezeokoli1287 They are averse to the truth afterall. So many "Igbo" officers of Northern parentage willingly participated in the event afterall. Odi egwu o!!! Ndi ekwensu ka ha bu. Real obodo ndi nzuzu!!!
Instead of you to tell us what he did when he was in power you’re doing shalaye 😭
Ironsi was a victim of a course led by some officers, for reasons best known to them. He was the highest ranking officer and took power and he should. Before then there’s been religious crisis in Nigeria, so it just gave room for more ethnic conflicts
Lol, how do you think his emergence came about? You might need to read late Akinjide's book "Fellow Country Men - the story of Coup D'etats in Nigeria" and late Shagari's book "Beckoned To Serve" to have a proper understanding of what transpired. Keep in mind that there were both ministers when the coup took place.
He should have prosecuted the coup plotters of 66, he could have at least sentenced them to prison terms, that would probably have saved his bacon.
Ironsi, a victim? Being the most senior army officer is not an automatic reason for Ironsi to be anointed as the military head of state. Coup was carried out by fellow Ibo officers hence he didn't even prosecute any of them.
@@wahabodusola6484 I will tell you how Ironsi's emergence came about. Here's an excerpt from a speech delivered by the late Lt. Col. Victor A. Banjo regarding how Ironsi emerged as HOS. Don't listen to Richard Akinjide, a tribalistic Yoruba who never missed an opportunity to bash the Igbo. Note that Banjo said a meeting of senior officers held after the coup made the decision to force Ironsi to save the nation from total collapse:
"I felt that the young officers who had started the
action were only anxious to destroy what had become a most corrupt
and discredited Government. As such, I spent a considerable time in
an effort to urge the late Major General to assume responsibility for
the State with the support of the Army from national collapse. It
was then my view that any attempt to use the Nigerian Army for any
military action within Nigeria would only have the effect of breaking
the Army into its tribal components of which the Northern component
would represent the lion's share."
The above is a copied and pasted quote from one of Banjo's speech. In another speech he (Banjo) indicated that at the meeting of senior army officers held at noon on 16 January 1966, he spoke forcefully about the need for Ironsi to take over the government. Who else supported the move? YAKUBU GOWON who was also present at the meeting.
@@ekusondebango3568 why should we believe you and Banjo? The problem was that after becoming the military Head of State he dissolved the regions and established a unitary government. The question is why did he do that?
Your narration is the official version. The wives of Ademulegun and his Adjutant were shot in addition to killing their husbands. In Lagos all targeted officers were killed except one who certainly knew he was not to go home, yet nothing happened to his wife. You never mentioned that a few days earlier Azikiwe with full knowledge of the impending coup had left Nigeria ostensibly for medical check up, and that in the process not a single Ibo officer was killed neither was a single Ibo politician was killed while politicians were killed from the other three regions.
This Is what most people fail to understand bro , the sheer brutality of the January coup brought about the no mercy affair of the July coup , how the house of Sarduana was shelled when you already killed the Premier ,his wife , driver , a couple policemen and 5 other civilians . Ademuleguns wife was trying to Shield him when the shot her while she was 6 months pregnant and the same with Sarduana when the shot his first wife when she tried to shield him and not to forget how pictures of Nzeogwu with his feet on top of Sarduana body by Drum Magazine. Shodeinde was killed infront of his children . the killing of civilians in the counter coup if it happened was bad but the Northerners certainly didn't act unprovoked and had Ironsi left the regional system intact and punished the murders I'm not sure the counter coup would have been needed and hence the civil war that followed
@@rodneywilliams9209 I like your reply but a lot more shady activities that has never met the light of day happened in those times coupled with the regional/religious tensions.
The first coup of 66 might have been for good intentions but it was not carried out scrupulously and was intercepted and interpreted wrongly. And I still wouldn't blame the interpreters who retaliated too. Given the tension of the time, what other option did they have?
Only thing is, the retaliators did the most. And that too might be justified given the tensions from media propaganda, regional/religious crises that plagued Nigeria at the time.
I am Igbo tho'
The wound will never heal if we fail to tell the truth every right thinking knew that it was igbo coup they are just trying to change the story to suit their myopic sentiments the senseless coup lead us to where we are today now can anyone ask this IRONSI why he abolished the regional system of government that bring development to the country the truth is that he want to be incharge of hook and cranny of the country
@@Nasty_Willz Point well taken bro , A lot of things happened that could have been solved in other means not a full blown military coup coz the corruption the majors accused the leaders back then is not even in the same galaxy as what's being committed today , the prime minister at the time of his death was a farmer and he had only 15 pounds to his name and the Sardauna already was from a rich royal family. Its true people back then don't see things like how we might do today because one of the planners Ben Guile wrote a book and all of the things they accused the leaders of were based on unfounded rumors like the Sarduana wanted to Islamize the whole of Nigeria , even in Arab countries there are a lot of Christins living there so that wasn't true and they didn't even wait to substantiate they outright believe it to be true . July was very brutal and bloody but it was more of an angry reaction to an action that shouldn't have happened in the first place. Ironsi could have really just stopped the coup and then handed over to president Azikiwe but him wanting to do a job that wasn't meant for him is what really messed up Nigeria because in the first place it was your department that had faulted you didn't have to take over power and rule which his was not in any way shape of form qualified for which was evident by decree 34 which has allowed the elites to exploit Nigeria up till date . Had power remained with the regions the countries wealth would have been shared equally as it was before and nobody would have been crying of marginalization
Not a single Ibo(?) Officer was killed you wrote! Col. Unegbe the Quartermaster General is Tiv man? Azikiwe had full knowledge of the coup? You don't mean it! In a bid to present an alternate narrative, you presented fables and half-truths.
Thanks you for this, Ironsi was not the coup plotter
I'm glad to come across this video but disappointed the way the youths in the comments think.
Educated youths should at least think differently. Everything is not supposed to be an argument. This is history, may not be entirely correct but it's a great piece to learn and unlearn. They hated one another then, now ya'll doing same thing! What's the point of all the education? Enlightenment etc? Ain't ya'll the woke generation? BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE
Very smart and intellectual person you are. Some of our youths are so shameless.
@@paulduncan9674 bless up! 🙏🏾
Ironsi biggest mistake was not prosecuting the remaining officers alive who took part in the Jan 15 1966 coup
Didn’t matter whether he did that or not. The Jan 15 coup had opened the gates of hell, and there was always going to be a counter coup. And i say this as a Fulani man.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👍🏻🇬🇧
Of course every coupist north or south that failed deserves to die. In fact there should be no coup. I BB, Buhari, Ironsi and all of them should have been with their ancestors.
Ironsi escaped slaughter, Aziklwe escaped slaughter, mere coincidence? .....
Northern and Western political leaders, northern spiritual leaders, northern and western senior army officers killed and eastern leaders miraculously spared. Who is fooling who? You expect the north not to fight back for their existence. This is the cause of the civil war and killings in the north. The north did not just rise up and started killing easterners
The Coup leader is the one who takes over when successful, This guy was just trying to be smart but still got caught out. Yakubu was the leader of his coup d'etat then Murtala Muhammed then the next failed, coup leader Dimka was an idiot. It went on till Sani Abacha. Those Young Igbo soldiers were just used General Johnson Ironsi was the sneaky guy that sparked the conflict that led to Nigerian civil war, He could not publicly persecute the culprits for fear of being named.
NCNC standing for National Convention for Nigerian Citizens ????
I don't think so brother.
Go check that out again.
By the way you're doing a good job.
National Council for nigeria and Cameroun
Col. Yakubu Gowon was not the most senior military officer in the country after the death of Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi. Brigadier. Babafemi Ogundipe was. I guess it's an oversight on your path. Thanks
Calm down. "Most senior Northern officer". Or was Ogundipe a Northern officer?
@@HistoryVille Oversight on my path.. noted... Thanks
@@John-zb8ly You're welcome.
So why did they want senior only in the North?
After the loss of key northern military officers, political and spiritual leaders, the north would be stupid to allow any southern officer to control the army. Actually, northern stronghold of the army leadership brought stability. Allowing Ironsi and his cohorts to profit from their sins would have turned Nigeria into a country that you and i would be ashamed to be called our country.
This careful analysis shows that the Igbos alone never singlehandedly spareheaded the first coup. Also, Ironsi never took part in the coup.
Was ogundipe not a senior officer of the Nigerian high command?
No. He was in London.
@@HistoryVille Why was he in London and how did he get there? In what capacity was he in London- military officer or civilian? Let us keep things in perspective now.
@@HistoryVille No he wasn't in
london, he was the most Senior but they refused to listen to him. He was posted to London afterwards. Please check again.
🇸🇱 ♥
9:58 “how was Aguyi ironsi able to escape his killers”?
Answer: because he’s Igbo
He was given a heads up.
Major Okafor and the hit squad visited his house on that faithful day, but he wasn't at home. Ademoyega documented this in his book "Why We Struck", he said it was a gross miscalculation on the side of Ifeajuna who gave such an assignment to Okafor. Ademoyega personally volunteered to arrest Ironsi but Ifeajuna wasn't having it. Keep it in mind that Kaduna Nzeogwu was in charge of the operation in the North whilst Ifeajuna was in charge of the operation in the South. Col Njoku disclosed a comment Ironsi made to him that night in his book "Tragedy Without Heroes", Ironsi said "but they said they will not kill anyone". He made that statement within the earshot of Gowon and Njoku. His fate was sealed. His foreknowledge of the coup became a subject of investigation.
He's Igbo means what...was he told of their coming, is that what you're trying to say?
So Aguyi Ironsi was able to rally troops to crush the coup after getting drunk a night before?😳👀
Me too i wonderoo🤣😂
But when murtala came for him he couldn't rally troops 🤣 😂
That narrative has been told alot but its a lie , Gowon said when Ironsi came to HQ he was shaken and cried the whole time , General Ejoor had to be disregard and go to Enugu to gain control of his troops . He wasn't in anyway shape or form capable to put down the coup but since he was GOC all the credit went to him and instead of him to restore law and order and hand over to the president he decided to seize power for himself and even with that he was given ample time to the needful and try the coup plotters he sent Gowon to ask the northern soldiers to forgive and forget the coup and surrounded himself with only Igbo advisers and unified the government so that due to the fact that Igbos had the higher educated people they would go into all the regions and become the rulers of those places
Ironsi led the plot....just as Bissalla did for Murtala. Bissalla would have been 'voted' as the head of state had the coup been successful
They wasted the intelligent soldiers
And u expect the Hausas to dime with the igbos?
Mugu , you can’t see and understand reality, we just want to buy your lands and send you to Niger
You are too tribalistic. Did the coup benefit we masses or has it developed Nigeria? Life before is better than life now in Nigeria. The Northerners have ruled this country for long, yet, you, I, and many of the masses suffer and wallow in abject poverty.
Who are the hausas and who are the fulanis?
My brother they think we are fools
@@ahmedismail2501You're actually a fool if you think the Igbos thinks you're fool.
Wrong timing
My deep respects to General Ironsi. The losers mudslinging the way in he wish he ran the affairs of Nigeria didnt know any better then.
No, it landed Ironsi the job not only because of his exploits in the Congo. It's because his tribesman, Nnamdi Azikiwe fought for his appointment. Remember, the president had to make the appointment, not the prime-minister or defense minister. Be fair in your reporting.
The evil of Nigeria. It did not start today
he doesn't deserve to die, but learn to pronounce Nigeria names properly.
Igbo you are pronouncing is weed, not Igbo the tribe.
Kaduna Nze Ogwu not Eze ogu.
A lot of blood has been needlessly shed in Nigeria. 1966 is a year we should retrace and make corrections. Killing a pregnant wife??
There's no need to trade blame. Most of the people who made the decisions are no more.
Ya Allah grant us Salaamah
Shoutout to TY Danjuma yakubu gowon and Murtala Muhammad ❤️and Hassan usman katsina
Aguyi trusted Hausa Fulani a lot. TY Danjuma betrayed him. And he is paying for his evil against NDI Igbo today with his people
You tried. But this story is inaccurate.
He’s too biased
Yes. It's obvious he's biased. He depended his kind.