Jan 15 marks a significant date n the history of Nigeria as it reminds everyone of the first Military Coup d'etat that occurred in the history of Nigeria.

As described by Wikipedia:
"The 1966 Nigerian coup d'état began on January 15, 1966, when mutinous Nigerian soldiers led by Kaduna Nzeogwu assassinated 11 senior Nigerian politicians and two soldiers as well as kidnapping three others. The coup plotters attacked the cities of Kaduna, Ibadan, and Lagos while also blockading the Niger and Benue River within a two-day span of time before the coup plotters were subdued. A senior Army officer, General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi then used the coup as a pretext to annex power, ending Nigeria's nascent democracy. It was one of the events that led to the Nigerian Civil War"



Major Conspirators
The Coup was planned by for military officers namely Major Nzeogwu, Major Ifeajuna, Major Anuforo, Major Ademoyega and Major Okafor all with the aim of overthrowing the Prime Minister Abubakar Balewa, according to the majors, the coup was planned in order to put a stop to the corrupt practices of the politicians which at that point in time has became too much to bear.





Victims of the Coup: The Incident led to the death of the following government officials at different locations

At Lagos

a. Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria.

b. Chief F. S. Okotie-Eboh, Finance Minister of the Federation.

c. Brigadier Z. Mai-Malari, Commander of the 2nd Brigade NA

d. Colonel K. Mohammed, Chief of Staff Nigerian Army

e. Lieut-Colonel A. C. Unegbe, Quartermaster General.

f. Lieut-Colonel J.T. Pam, Adjutant General, Nigerian Army

g. Lieut-Colonel A. Largema, Commanding Officer 4th Battalion Ibadan

AT IBADAN

h. S. L. Akintola, Premier of Western Nigeria (he Fought back with a machine Gun)

AT KADUNA

i. Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria

j. Brigadier S. Ademulegun, Commander of the 1st Brigade NA

k. Colonel R. A. Shodeinde, Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy

l. Ahmed Dan Musa, Senior Assistant Secretary (Security) to the North Regional Government

m. Sergeant Duromola Oyegoke of the Nigerian Army

n. The senior wife of Sir Ahmadu Bello

o. The wife of Brigadier Ademulegun

AFTERMATH OF THE 1966 COUP

Acting President Nwafor Orizu made a nationwide broadcast, after he had brief President Nnamdi Azikiwe on the phone the decision of the cabinet, announcing the cabinet's "voluntary" decision to transfer power to the armed forces. Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi then made his own broadcast, accepting the "invitation". On January 17, Major General Ironsi established the Supreme Military Council in Lagos and effectively suspended the constitution.[2]

All of the coup leaders, except for Maj. Ifeajuna who had fled to Ghana, were placed under arrest. Maj. Nzeogwu handed over control of the Northern Region to Ironsi's appointed designee, Maj. Hassan Katsina, before being escorted by Lt Col. Conrad Nwawo to Lagos where he surrendered to Maj Gen. Ironsi. General Ironsi used the coup as a pretext to suspend the Federal Government and bring an end to Nigeria's first republic.[citation needed]

In the months following the coup it was widely noted that four of the five army Majors who executed the coup were Igbo and that General Ironsi who took over power was also Igbo. It was feared that the Igbo had set out to take control of the country and in the North of Nigeria the fear of Igbo dominance became intense. This resulted in the massacres of Igbo which peaked on the 29 May, 29 July and 29 September 1966.

The Ironsi government's efforts to abolish the federal structure and the renaming the country the Republic of Nigeria on 24 May 1966 raised tensions and led to another coup by largely northern officers in July 1966, which established the leadership of Major General Yakubu Gowon.


http://dotunomiyale..com.ng/2017/01/jan-15-1966-coup-today-in-history.html

This is the real cause of the Civil war, combined with Hatred and Jealousy!!!

What a history...

Nonsensical history!

On this day in 1966, the Igbos killed the leaders of other region and told the world Angel Michael protected theirs, in their bid to enforce their nepotism on the whole country, which is further demonstrated by the centralization of government by Ironsi.

Igbos willfully and conscientiously truncated our nascent democracy of then. This was the beginning of the problem of this country.

They need to apologize to other Nigerians and also pay reparation for the damage they caused the country.

superstar1:
On this day in 1966, the Igbos killed the leaders of other region and told the world Angel Michael protected theirs, in their bid to enforce their nepotism on the whole country, which is further demonstrated by the centralization of government by Ironsi.

Igbos willfully and conscientiously truncated our nascent democracy of then. This was the beginning of the problem of this country.

They need to apologize to other Nigerians and also pay reparation for the damage they caused the country.

Funnily enough, ever since that coup, the rest of you Nigerians have been chasing Igbos that you must do "one Nigeria" with them. Infact, the federal Government came down to the East where the Igbos were enjoying their new found freedom to fight for 3 years to bring the Igbos back into 'one Nigeria'.

So if Igbo caused all the problems in Nigeria but all of you are still chasing the Igbo man for 'one Nigeria', then it is time for Nigerians to do the needfull. Bow to the great Igbo nation and admit you cant do without us!