The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology and pay compensation over his assassination in 1966.
The demand was made by the head of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, a nephew of the late military leader, during an appearance on Prime Time on Arise Television on Thursday.
He described the late Aguiyi-Ironsi as a detribalised leader with a clear vision for Nigeria, lamenting that his administration lasted only six months before he was assassinated.
According to him, the former Head of State was unfairly blamed for events surrounding the January 1966 coup despite not participating in it.
“There was no sincere apology from the Nigerian government for the assassination of our son, who committed no crime,” he said.
“The only crime he committed was that he was the most senior officer at the time. He was called upon to take over after the coup. He did not take part in the coup. He accepted the call to serve his fatherland before he was gruesomely assassinated.
“After he was assassinated, people moved on. The family needs to be compensated, given a sincere apology, and reconciliation,” he added.
Aguiyi-Ironsi assumed office as Nigeria’s Head of State following the January 1966 military coup, which brought an end to the country’s parliamentary system of government.
The coup resulted in the deaths of Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, senior political leaders and several top military officers.
Six months after assuming office, Aguiyi-Ironsi was overthrown and assassinated during the July 1966 counter-coup, an event that marked a turning point in Nigeria’s political history.
