In the annals of Nigeria’s history, the events of 1966 stand out as some of the most tumultuous and defining moments. Beginning on May 29 and peaking on September 29, 1966, a wave of violence engulfed the nation, resulting in the deaths of no less than 213 predominantly Igbo military personnel, according to Official Army Records. 

According to the former Military President of Nigeria General Ibrahim Babaginda, in his recently published book “ A Journey In Service “ the bloodshed extended beyond military ranks, claiming the lives of countless civilians across the country.

Babaginda said “these tragic events were ignited by the military coup of January 1966 and the subsequent counter-coup between July 29 and September 29 of the same year. The political turmoil and ethnic tensions that followed forced approximately 50,000 Igbos to flee northern Nigeria, seeking refuge in the eastern region”.

“During this period, the nation was plunged into a state of uncertainty. The abduction of Head of State General Aguiyi-Ironsi and Lt-Col. Adekunle Fajuyi on July 29, 1966, left Nigeria leaderless for three days. Efforts by Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe to restore order were met with resistance from northern military officers, heightening national tensions”.

“Amidst political negotiations and power struggles, Lt-Col. Yakubu Gowon emerged as the new Head of State on August 1, 1966, a decision that was contested by Lt-Col. Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who advocated for Brigadier Ogundipe’s leadership based on military seniority. This leadership dispute, coupled with escalating ethnic violence, set the stage for the Nigerian Civil War”.

He said the aftermath of these coups and the civil war that followed left indelible scars on the nation’s psyche, deepening ethnic distrust that persists to this day. These events not only reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape but also underscored the devastating consequences of war, a lesson painfully learned by those who lived through that dark era.