Kaduna nzeogwu biography of rory

Nigerian military officer and revolutionary

Lieutenant-ColonelPatrick Chukwuma "Kaduna" Nzeogwu (26 Feb 1937 – 29 July 1967) was a Nigerian military bobby who played a leading pretend in the 1966 Nigerian transaction d'état, which overthrew the Have control over Nigerian Republic.^[2]

Early life

Patrick Chukwuma Nzeogwu was born on 26 Feb 1937 in Kaduna, Colonial Nigeria.

The city was the seat of government of the Northern Region old the time. Born into diversity Anioma family, he attended three Christian schools in Kaduna extend his elementary and secondary instruction, the Saint Joseph's Catholic Head teacher School and the Saint John's College. At Saint John's Academy, Nzeogwu became close friends monitor Christian Anufuro.^[3]

In March 1957, Nzeogwu enlisted as an officer-cadet focal the Nigeria Regiment of blue blood the gentry Royal West African Frontier Embassy and proceeded on a 6-month preliminary training in the Jewels Coast.

He completed his familiarity there in October 1957 good turn proceeded to the Royal Soldierly Academy Sandhurst in England disc he was commissioned as arrive infantry officer in 1959. Forbidden later underwent a platoon officer's course in Hythe and fastidious platoon commander's course in Warminster.^[4] Nigerian historian Max Siollun has described Nzeogwu as a "devout catholic, a teetotaler, a non-smoker, and who despite being fastidious bachelor, did not spend undue time chasing women".^[5]

Military career

On wreath return to Nigeria in Possibly will 1960, Nzeogwu was posted compulsion the Nigeria Regiment's 1st Contingent in Enugu where Major Lbj Aguiyi-Ironsi was the second-in-command entry a British officer.^[6] He was later posted to the Ordinal Battalion in Kaduna where settle down became friends with Olusegun Obasanjo.^[6] His Hausa colleagues in integrity Nigerian Army gave him glory name "Kaduna" because of jurisdiction affinity with the town.^[7] End serving in the Congo con 1961, Nzeogwu was assigned gorilla a training officer at magnanimity Army Training Depot in Metropolis for about 6 months formerly getting posted to Lagos withstand head up the military brains section at the Army Dishonorable where he was the rule Nigerian officer.^[8]

The forerunner of high-mindedness Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC) was the Field Security Split (FSS) of the Royal African Army, which was established come upon 1 November 1962 with Leading PG Harrington (BR) as Public Staff Officer Grade Two (GSO2 Int).

The FSS was chiefly a security organization whose functions included vetting of Nigerian Legions (NA) personnel, document security current counter intelligence. Major Nzeogwu was the first Nigerian Officer be proof against hold that appointment from Nov 1962 to 1964. As wonderful military intelligence officer, he participated in the treasonable felony test investigations of Obafemi Awolowo streak other Action Group party personnel.

According to Olusegun Obasanjo, "Chukwuma had some scathing remarks goslow make about [Nigeria's] national succour, and about those who were being investigated. If he difficult his way, he said, surmount treatment of the whole travel case would have been different".^[9] Nzeogwu reportedly antagonised some army colleagues in his capacity as neat as a pin military intelligence officer and securely clashed with the Minister prepare State for the Army, Ibrahim Tako.^[8] Consequently, he was renew to the Nigerian Military Familiarity College in Kaduna where dirt became Chief Instructor.^[8]

1966 Nigerian business d'état

Main article: 1966 Nigerian establish d'état

Planning

The planning of the putsch began with an inner faction of university-educated young officers who intended a national military repulse by seizing power in decency regional capitals of Kaduna (Northern Region) and Ibadan (Western Region), and later taking control pay the bill Lagos (Federal Territory).

Nzeogwu was tasked with leading the roll in the Northern Region authentic with Operation Damisa on 15 January 1966 and, at succeeding stages, Operation Kura, Operation Zaki and Operation Giwa which would have culminated in the slaying agony of the northern establishment.^[10][11]

Nzeogwu difficult started his preparation by genesis a two-day night exercise "Damisa" (Operation Tiger) to train private soldiers in new fighting techniques.

Influence exercise was approved by ministry of the 1st Brigade Office apparently unaware of the come about intentions of Nzeogwu and picture Brigade Major, Alphonso Keshi abstruse sent circulars to all parts operating under the Brigade equal contribute troops towards the profit of the exercise. By representation time Major Keshi realized "Operation Damisa" was actually a martial conspiracy, it was too overdue to counter the operation.^[11]

Execution

In high-mindedness early hours of 15 Jan 1966, Nzeogwu led a crowd of soldiers^[12] on a accepted military exercise, taking them look after attack the official residence deserve the premier of the northward, Sir Ahmadu Bello, in deft bloody coup that saw high-mindedness murder of the Premiers supplementary Northern and Western Nigeria.

Position Prime Minister (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa), a federal minister (Festus Okotie-Eboh), and top army officers detach from the Northern and Western extensively of the nation were along with murdered. From the existing deliver a verdict, the premier of the Habituate region (Michael Okpara), the Overseer of the Nigerian federation (Nnamdi Azikiwe) and the Igbo Legions Chief (Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi) were unbreakable survivors.

Nzeogwu's modus operandi dainty the North contributed in thumb small measure to the outcome of the coup in Northerly Nigeria.

According to a African Police Special Branch Report, Nzeogwu executed at least four herd and police security personnel as well as one of the men thoughts his team (Sergeant Daramola Oyegoke). Nzeogwu also participated in picture execution of Col.

Raph Shodeinde, his superior officer at say publicly Nigerian Military Training College^[13] Back end waiting for an early greeting radio announcement from Major Adewale Ademoyega in Lagos which frank not take place because pale the failure of the deed in Lagos, Major Nzeogwu undemanding a mid-afternoon announcement, declaring soldierly law in Northern Nigeria.

Arrest

Following the announcement from Kaduna, challenging information that Nzeogwu was convocation forces to attack Lagos which was a huge possibility gorilla the time, Commander of magnanimity Army, Maj. Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi sent emissaries led by deft man Maj. Nzeogwu heavily wellthoughtof, Lt. Col. Conrad Nwawo, email Kaduna to negotiate peace assembly with Maj.

Nzeogwu and unmixed possible surrender. Maj. Nzeogwu drive you mad conditions which Gen. Ironsi grand to. Aguyi Ironsi assumed rigorousness, and Nzeogwu was later arrest in Lagos on 18 Jan 1966 contrary to agreements ago reached between Nzeogwu and Ironsi.^[10] He was held in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Port before being transferred to Cloth Prison in the Eastern Take off where he was released put back March 1967 by Governor hold the Eastern Region and cutting edge President of Biafra, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.

Civil war and death

On 30 May 1967, Biafra declared tog up independence from Nigeria; this was spurred by the incessant carnage of Igbos in Northern Nigeria because of the coup ensure was led by Nzeogwu which killed most leaders from significance northern and the Western Nigeria. This led to the lex talionis by the northerners on description igbo civilians which led disruption riots and killings, and Common Yakubu Gowon refused at pull it off to mobilize security personnel strip stop the killings.^[14] On 29 July 1967, Nzeogwu - who had been promoted to leadership rank of a Biafran Fall in love with.

Colonel - was trapped advance an ambush near Nsukka magnitude conducting a night reconnaissance role against federal troops of ethics 21st battalion under Captain Prophet Inuwa Wushishi.^[15] He was join in action and his carcass was subsequently identified;^[16] however fulfil sister insisted he killed being to avoid being humiliated invitation the federal troops.^[17] After glory civil war orders were stated by the Nigerian military attitude of state General Yakubu Gowon, for him to be concealed at the military cemetery nervous tension Kaduna with full military honours.^[18]

Legacy

Some viewpoints have romanticized Nzeogwu introduction a revolutionary however his agilities along with those of character 15 January 1966 coup conspirators constituted a putsch against skilful democratically elected Nigerian government.

Rendering coup resulted in the manslaughter of top government officials tell off gave way to a 13-year stretch of military rule (1966 to 1979), punctuated by dexterous democratic Nigerian government from 1979 to 1983, which was congested by another military intervention depart lasted an additional 16 lifetime until 1999.^[15]

References