AGUIYI-IRONSI’S FAMILY DEMANDS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APOLOGY, COMPENSATION 58 YEARS AFTER ASSASSINATION
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By; Sunmola Ganiyat
The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology, pay compensation, and initiate genuine reconciliation over his killing during the 1966 counter-coup.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Thursday, the head of the family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, said the family had waited 58 years for justice and recognition of the injustice done to the late military leader.
He maintained that Aguiyi-Ironsi was a visionary and detribalised leader who was unfairly blamed for the January 1966 coup despite having no involvement in its planning or execution.
According to him, the late Head of State served Nigeria for only six months before he was assassinated, stressing that he lost his life solely because he was the country’s most senior military officer and was asked to assume leadership after the coup.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi insisted that it is widely acknowledged that his uncle played no role in the January 1966 coup, arguing that history has established his innocence.
He urged authorities to address the family’s long-standing grievances by offering a sincere apology, appropriate compensation, and meaningful reconciliation.
Aguiyi-Ironsi led Nigeria from January 16 to July 29, 1966, assuming office in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup, before he was overthrown and killed during the July 29, 1966 counter-coup. 1966 Nigerian counter-coup
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