Aguiyi-Ironsi, the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army had taken over power in Lagos following the assassination of the Prime-Minister and other top leaders. He wanted to rid Nigeria of the entrenched bitter ethnic rivalries that lacerated the First Republic in one fell swoop. Ironsi and Colonel Fajuyi were killed on July 29, 1966, in the counter-coup that brought then Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Jack Gowon to power. The Nigerian military initially made preparation for a three-month war. He became the first Nigerian commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and later the Chief of Army Staff.

Source: The Guardian April 18, 2019 03:22 UTC