Tomorrow marks the 58th Anniversary of the January 15, 1966 coup.

Tomorrow marks the 58th Anniversary of the January 15, 1966 coup. Unfortunately, some people have been trying to revise history by circulating a fake so-called list of those who took part in the coup. This list has been floating around and has deceived many people, including Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who I had to call and disabuse his mind. What some people have cleverly done is to combine the names of those behind the January 15, 1966 coup with those who took part in the July 29, 1966 counter-coup, as though they took part in one coup. That is a lie. 

The following persons planned the January 15, 1966 coup:

Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna-Igbo from Eastern Region. 

Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu-Igbo from the Midwest Region. 

Major Chris Anuforo-Igbo from Eastern Region. 

Major Don Okafor-Igbo from Eastern Region. 

Major Adewale Ademoyega-Yoruba from Western Region. 

Of these people, only Major Adewale Ademoyega did not take part in the killings. Please find below the names and regions of the people they killed, and you decide whether or not the coup was one-sided. 

1. Sir Ahmadu Bello-Fulani from Northern Region.

2. Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa-Gere from Northern Region.

3. Samuel Ladokr Akintola-Yoruba from Western Region.

4. Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh-Itsekiri from the Midwest Region.

5. Hafsatu Bello (wife of Sir Ahmadu Bello)-Fulani from Northern Region.

6. Mrs Latifat Ademulegun (Brigadier Ademulegun's wife, who was eight months pregnant)-Yoruba from Western Region. 

7. Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun-Yoruba from Western Region.

8. Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari-Kanuri from Northern Region.

9. Colonel Kur Mohammed-Kanuri from Northern Region.

10. Colonel Ralph Shodeinde-Yoruba from Western Region. 

11. Lt. Colonel Abogo Lagerma-Marghi from Northern Region.

12. Lt. Colonel James Pam-Jos native from Northern Region.

13. Lt. Colonel Arthur Unegbe-Igbo from Eastern Region.

14. Sergeant Daramola Oyegoke-Yoruba from Western Region. 

15. Police Constable Philip Lewande-Minority from Northern Region.

16. Police Corporal Akpan Anduka-Efik from Eastern Region.

17. Police Corporal Hagai Lai-Minority from Northern Region.

18. Police Corporal Yohana Garkawa-Minority from Northern Region.

19. Lance Corporal Musa Nimzo-Minirity from Northern Region. 

20. Ahmed Pategi-Minority from Northern Region.

21. Zarumi Sardauna-Minority from Northern Region.

Now, out of a total of 21 people killed by the January 15, 1966 coup plotters, only Lt. Colonel Arthur Unegbe was an Igbo, and the reason he was killed was because he was the QuarterMaster-General, Army Headquarters, Lagos, and therefore was in charge of the armoury. 

When Major Chris Anuforo went to his house to demand the keys to the armoury, he refused and was shot. He was NOT on the original list of people to be killed. 

Last week, Major Chris Anuforo's daughter emailed me a threat to my life, and I disregarded it but published her email. And then, two days ago, a gentleman with an accent that betrayed his accent traced me to my jogging route and threatened me. I am undeterred.

As long as some people keep trying to twist the truth, people like me will expose the facts. And if you kill us, our children will take our place to prevent you from spinning a false narrative. 

Reno Omokri

 

Gospeller. Deep Thinker. #TableShaker. Ruffler of the Feathers of Obidents. #1 Bestselling author of Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years. Hodophile. Hollywood Magazine Humanitarian of the Year, 2019. Business Insider Influencer of the Year 2022.