The family of Nigeria’s first Military Head of State, the late Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to issue an official apology and pay compensation over his assassination 60 years ago.
The demand was made by the head of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme while commemorating the 60th anniversary of the late military leader’s assassination.
He described the former Head of State as a detribalised leader who was committed to national unity and served the country with integrity during his brief tenure.
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi occupied the nation’s highest office for only six months before he was assassinated.
He said the family had continued to seek justice, noting that no official apology had been offered by successive governments over the circumstances surrounding his death.
“The only crime he committed was that he was the most senior military officer at the time.
“He was called upon to take over after the coup. He did not participate 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 said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi became Nigeria’s Head of State following the military coup of January 1966, which claimed the lives of then Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and several senior political and military leaders.
He assumed office as the country’s first military Head of State and led the government until July 1966, when he was overthrown and killed during a counter-coup.
His death marked a significant turning point in Nigeria’s political history and contributed to the chain of events that eventually culminated in the Nigerian Civil War.
The family’s latest appeal comes as Nigerians continue to reflect on the country’s post-independence political history and calls for national reconciliation.
The Federal Government has yet to officially respond to the family’s request for an apology and compensation.
