THE 1966 COUP: THE PAINS TILL DATE - Bodmas writes

Late Kaduna Nzeogu (Igboman), plotted the first military coup in Nigeria, which was later regarded as an "Igbo coup", the coup witnessed the demise of top military officers and Nationalist from other tribes, excluding the Igbos.

The coup was aimed at seizing power from the old and handing over to the young, he was in his 20's.

The coup was intent to “cleanse” Nigeria and rid the country of corrupt politicians.
Incidentally, almost five decades after the coup, corruption still remains an issue among Nigerian politicians. Many cases remain unresolved while some of those believed to be corrupt seek ways of perpetuating themselves in power.

He wanted the creation of a strong, united and efficient Nigeria. In opposition to this ideal, Nzeogwu identified three major evils tormenting the country, which are, divisionism, tribalism and corruption.

To him, these evils were epitomized by the former politicians and the state of Nigerian politics. Nzeogwu came to view politicians as the enemies of a unified, strong and efficient Nigeria. To quote from his proclamation of January 15, 1966, in Kaduna:

“our enemies are the political profiteers, swindlers, the men in the high and low places that seek bribes and demand ten percent, those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as Ministers and VIPs of waste, the tribalists, the nepotists… those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds.”

The coup failed and his dreams were shattered.

He was the culprit in the murder of Ahmadu Bello (Hausaman) and other top Northern military officers, he died fighting on the side of Biafra in 1967.

He was killed in action and his corpse was subsequently identified.  After the defeat of Biafra and the end of the war.

Despite his disobedience, his atrocities against the North who bred him up, his disloyalty against the Nigerian State.

Orders were given by the then Head of the Nigerian government, Major General Yakubu Gowon, for him to be buried at the military cemetery in Kaduna with full military honours.

This coup is no doubt the bane of Nigeria's problem till date.

It is good we know our history, so we can learn from it.

May the labour of our heroes past and present never be in Vain.

• Bodmas P. Kemepadei, blogger, writer, social media practitioner, writes from Bayelsa. ( thebodminati@gmail.com )