Aguiyi-Ironsi's Family Seeks Redress Over 1966 Tragic Event

The family of Nigeria's first military Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has made a public demand for an official apology and compensation from the Federal Government. This demand was made by Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, the nephew of the late Major General, during an interview on Arise Television's 'Prime Time' on Thursday, July 30. Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi described his uncle as a detribalized leader who was a man of great vision. He expressed regret that the late leader's tenure was cut short, lasting only six months before his assassination. According to him, since the incident, the Nigerian Government has not offered a sincere apology for the death of their son, who did not commit any crime. 'The only crime he committed was that he was the most senior officer at the time. And 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,' he said. The family's demand comes 60 years after the event, which occurred after the 1966 coup that resulted in the killing of Nigeria's Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and other senior military officers. Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi emphasized that the family needs to be compensated and given a sincere apology for the assassination of their son, as well as reconciliation.