Aguiyi-Ironsi Family Demands Federal Apology and Compensation 60 Years After Killing

(Nigeria's first military Head of State, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. Photo by Punch News)

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Nigeria's first military Head of State, was killed in 1966, and his family has demanding an apology from the Federal Government.

The family also demanded reparations and reconciliation.

Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, the family's head, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.

He said the family deserves an apology and compensation, calling for sincere apology and reconciliation.

He described his uncle as a visionary and detribalised leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in, describing him as a man of vision and a good leader.

Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle's tenure as Head of State was brief and ended in vi0lence, pointing out that he occupied the position for only six months before he was taken away from the family, not because of any wrongdoing but because he was not part of the January 1966 coup.

He insisted this fact was widely known and accepted.

According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi's d£ath resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing, explaining that he was asked to take charge only because he was the most senior military officer at the time, a role that ultimately cost him his life.

He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those in positions of authority who could act on it.

Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria's Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that claimed the lives of the country's political leadership.

He survived that coup and helped cr*sh the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, alongside his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.

He was k!lled on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup.