Kaduna Nzeogwu: The Major Who Ended Nigeria's First Republic in 1966

Major Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was the first Nigerian to become an officer in Military Intelligence. Born in February 1937, he was only 20 when he joined the Nigerian Army in March 1957.
From officer training in Teshie, Ghana, the young man was moved to the elite Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom where, after two years of training, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1959.
Chukwuma Nzeogwu was simply a man carried away by youthful exuberance. A soldier who wanted the best for his country, bold and brave, who did not understand that the problem with Nigeria was more than a band of young Majors could solve with the barrel of a gun.
Nzeogwu was smart and lucky. He was well-loved by many of his fellow officers and subordinates. However, his superiors disliked him. The Major was seen as one who believed he knew it all. They, therefore, sent him to the Nigeria Military Training College (NMTC) Kaduna to train future officers. He was not to be trusted with a command position. And Nzeogwu was there as Chief Instructor. #HistoryVille #KadunaNzeogwu
You can get A Carnage Before Dawn, a historical account of how Nzeogwu and co. carried out Nigeria’s first coup d’état on Amazon.
Kindle: amazon.com/dp/B08PY2KHFR
Paperback: amazon.com/dp/9789820909
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:14 Nigeria’s First Military Coup
02:07 Countering the Coup
03:17 How Nzeogwu Died
04:40 Next Video

[@HistoryVille]

You can get *A Carnage Before Dawn,* a historical account of how Nzeogwu and co. carried out Nigeria’s first coup d’état on Amazon. Kindle: amazon.com/dp/B08PY2KHFR Paperback: amazon.com/dp/9789820909

[@samuelsotunde3622]

I bought the book from Amazon . Was surprised, when I received it. A very short book & ending was inconclusive & disappointing . Would not recommend it

[@johnsonadekunleobayanju9355]

Major Kaduna Nzeokwu is another big Hero who made desperate efforts to resolve Nigeria situation but found it extremely difficult for many cuold'nt understand his mission

[@kunlrjaiye7294]

He only killed yoruba and fulani people and leave his own people So that the stupid decision that brought all the problem we are facing today

[@babangidanzegwu1476]

@@kunlrjaiye7294 He was in Kaduna, and his part of the coup was successful. So where were the Igbo people he spared at kaduna? Sir Bello was killed, Sir Kashim Ibrahim (Then the northern regional governor) was arrested. It wasn't his job to finish from Kaduna and go and kill Ironsi in Lagos. Major Donatus Okafor was tasked with arresting Brig. Maimalari and Gen. Ironsi in the then Federal Capital Territory of Lagos. He failed at both. Maimalari escaped him, but was ultimately found and shot by his Brigade major, Ifeajuna by coincidence. Otherwise Maimalari would have escaped the coup, just like Ironsi. My opinion is, Onwatuegu and Anuforo were unnecessarily ruthless and blood thirsty. Chukwuka was tasked to arrest Yakubu Pam, Which he did, before Anuforo took over the situation and killed the Adjutant General. But the failure here is Okafor, not Nzeogwu. Nzeogwu played his part in Kaduna, Nwobosi did his bit in Ibadan, as did Ademoyega in Lagos. Ifeajuna did to some extent, but eventually fled and ditched the rest of them when Ironsi started mobilizing troops against them, so there's a lot of blame attached to him too. The real failures were Okafor in Lagos, and Oguchi in Enugu. When you get the facts, you'll know who to point your fingers at. It's a lot deeper than you think.

[@chrisadegoke9818]

No he didn't, the problem we are facing today had already started, hence the failed attempt to fix it. To my understanding, other coup conspirators in charge of the other regions caused the failure as they exhibited nepotism in their execution. Nzeogwu on the other hand did exactly what was expected of him. Unfortunately, he was only in charge of the Northern region as he couldn't be in all places at once. Those in the East and West goofed really badly and that led to the obvious perception of many of the coup as an Igbo coup. The emergence of Aguyi Ironsi did not help any argument to the contrary.

[@taiwookus5114]

Why did he spare the lives of the top igbo officials then? Why

[@nonsocharles8487]

@@taiwookus5114 go and read why we struck by (Adewale Adamoyega)

[@johnsonadekunleobayanju9355]

Big warrior, Rest in peace for you've played your part to keep Nigeria going

[@phantom2k10]

Fascinating to say the least.Thank you for sharing this my brother and please keep up the good work

[@HistoryVille]

Thank you for watching.

[@bigman7185]

He was a die hard one Nigerianist from the Southern Nigeria and went the way of all one Nigerianists of South Nigerian extraction. I hope our present day Igbo one Nigerianists watching are rethinking?

[@michaeludeze8470]

The young man was too idealistic and naive. He was blinded by patriotism, inspired by idealism, sickened by large scale corruption of the first Republic politicians, and pushed by heroic bravery. He mistakenly set in motion events that adversely affected Nigeria. The beneficiaries of Nzeogwu's coup are Hausa-Fulani coalition, who used it as excuse to dominate Nigeria. All National plans and decisions were hence forth made with the interest of the North, leading to slow and continued wreckage and ruin of the country. Yorubas were enraged by the killing of their tribal leader, and this anger blinded them to the fact that they are also a marginalized group under Fulani-Hausa lordship and domination of Nigeria. The irony of Nzeogwu is that he was essentially a Northerner. He was born over there, spoke the language fluently, and had all his history there. Yet, his action appeared most tribalistic.

[@evansejikeme5695]

You are very correct. In war, there must be casualties. After Nzeogwu's death during the Biafran war, three other military coup occured. Nigeria is still fighting the same corruption till date. Kaduna would've crushed all the enemies in body and in spirit that will look for him. General like Aguyi-ironsi supposed to have gone down in 1966. He wanted to appease the Northerners and gave ways for well planned coup that took his life. Nigeria is still a pawn in the chess game corruption of the US and the British. We can only be free if learn to establish our routes and be a Queen in the board. Build our faith, economy and our country.

[@ChuchuJS]

My Nigerian Hero!!!

[@simonamos2662]

Nzugwu our igbo Hero we will never forget you my brother

[@Don_.10]

He caused y’all more harm than good

[@umarmusak5357]

No. He was a coward murderer, just like many NA officers then. Men are heroes because of the good and difficult choices they make not by impulsive, uncalculated and drastic actions they carelessly take. Anyone can be careless, give fool firepower and he will surely make a difference. His actions actually changed Nigeria to what it is now, I say we are still suffering from the bad seed he (and the other 4) planted. What if the regional Govts remained till today? how do you imagine Nigeria would be?

[@umarmusak5357]

We keep blaming the current structure of Nigeria and still give credit to those who brought the golden era to ashes, there is absolutely nothing honorable about Maj. Kaduna if only we can set sentiments aside. What he and ( the other 4) callously did was horrible, horrific, tragic and absolutely unnecessary, and of cos what the other group of Army officers and men did in reaction to that on 28 July same 1966 was even worse. No human scale or system or sense or sanity as far as human beings are concerned can remotely justify either the first or the second coup, they should be regarded as unfortunate events in our nation's history, as in, dark moments.

[@Lenner34]

@@umarmusak5357 There was nothing golden about the first republic. Heavy revisionism. The west was burning, Tivland was restive and the NPC was positioned to rule forever. Politicians from the east, west and north were big thieves who controlled the marketing boards and devt corporations of their regions to the benefit of their cronies and the detriment of the masses. Nigeria today is better and less fractured. Now, Nzeogwu was foolish and rash with his actions. He had no right to kill Alhaji Bello and direct the murder of others. However, u cannot ignore the fact that the sentiment he had was shared by many. The soldiers he went out with to arrest (ultimately kill) Alhaji Bello were northerners themselves, they could've shot him instead. Nigeria's current issues are chiefly on the present. Nzeogwu, Bello, Balewa etc did not live in a demographically boisterous, oil-rich Nigeria with international clout. Theirs was a new country stumbling from one place to another. Let's properly address issues of the present with an awareness of the past, not with our fingers pointing at it.

[@gideondavid8944]

@usman Is murtala mohammed a hero or a coward from your explanation?

[@andrewjackson249]

Please what then will you have to say about what the sardauna did to the Tiv? Please bro all of them back then did a lot of horrible things , so stop putting the blame on 1 person

[@DejiTalker]

All things being equal, would there still be regional governments if the first coup didn't take place? I strongly doubt that.

[@noahnoah1091]

He saw the plans of the northern animals on timely but the Igbos where so divided... MAY THE SOUl OF THIS HANDSOME GIANT AND WARRIOR REST IN PEACE !!!!

[@junetinaeugene3306]

Amen

[@ray_light44]

You’re deluded

[@jerrycloward7570]

He’s a villain!! What he did was very stupid and sowed the seed of deep tribal unrest in Nigeria’s foundation! He deserves a slap! How can you kill a religious&polictical leader and boast about it on TV and expect the victim tribe to do nothing! Ironsi also made things worse by promoting tribal impunity and not prosecuting the coup plotters! Bad bad leadership move that broke the country... real stupid move by Ironsi and ezeogu which led to the war! A war we are yet to recover from 50years on! This man deserves to be slapped for the damage he did to Nigeria’s future!

[@simonamos2662]

igbos are the first wisdom in Nigeria

[@chukesobialo5706]

Nzeagu was no hero.. But I understand his feelings towards Bello.. I would have have felt the same way.. I have done extensive research on Bello.. Bello was not a good man at all...had he lived Nigeria would in a far worse situation...

[@ray_light44]

No you’re just deluded Sardauna wanted the best for his people

[@ugojoshua4963]

​@@ray_light44only for his people and not for the best of Nigeria..you see the problem?

[@osarobomike]

Is a great young man who want a great country for Nigeria today is the same corrupt establishment rules the same 1966 corrupt postitution element of so call one Nigeria people God bless us amen

[@mbahchukwumabenjamin1291]

Most of you saying he brought about the problems we have in Nigeria today don't know history enough. Our so called structuring of each part of the country; north, west and south was merely just a name. The north was controlling the country, how do you think Akintola (Ahmadu Bello's puppet) came into power?? What do you think led to unrests in the middle belt and the south west (operation wetie)?? The north were using our army to oppress other regions, did you think the census ahead of the planned 1964 elections were fair?? Look at the map then, who the hell divided it unequally. Those gallant young men planned that coup with the best interest of the young country at heart. They had a country to save and they took the bull by the horn. Though inexperienced, but they did their best. One more thing, the coup was not an Igbo coup, that mentality was just to create bias and an already heated hatreds for the Igbos, remember Ahmadu Bello's speech about the Igbos???

[@junetinaeugene3306]

You're a true historian brother. Most have had so many misconceptions concerning the Nzeogwu coup, and the most painful is that most termed him a traitor while all he wished to achieve was to right the wrongs of the first republic. And personally from my own views, ahmadu bello, okotie eboh and s.l akintola got their deserved fate.

[@ray_light44]

All the statements Saudana of Sokoto made were on point. They were not lies. They may appear hateful but they have elements of truth in them. And Saudana voicing his opinion on Igbos should have never been enough reason for Igbo military to murder him. Truth is bitter. He simply said he didn’t want Igbo people dominating Northern Nigeria’s workforce; just like how the Igbo’s in the East rejected northern Nigerians from their workforce

[@garbagarbaaliyu6922]

You are been economical with truth, the January coup is an igbo coup in their quest to dominate Nigeria something they can't achieve at the polls, the counter coup was purely northern coup in our quest to free ourselves and our children from slavery nobody is denying this fact in the north. Accept the truth and facts and let's move on. Denial would not solve anything.

[@abbahmagaji4113]

I sometimes feel that Major Kaduna was used and dumped.

[@steveyen173]

You are right

[@junetinaeugene3306]

That isn't true. Nzeogwu fought for what he believed in, All the January 15th coup plotters were subsequentlyThat isn't true. Nzeogwu fought for what he believed in, and all the January 15th coup plotters were subsequently killed or executed. Only Nwobosi survived to tell their story. killed or executed. Only Nwobosi survived to tell their story.

[@ray_light44]

@@junetinaeugene3306 they’re murderers

[@layiajayi8985]

I think Major Kaduna Nzeogwu initially had a good intention, but because the killings look only one sided and sparing the life of Eastern leaders. This ultimately made the whole approach look soo Bait.

[@yahayasanih.8667]

N C Kaduna was never believe in BIAFRA. That's why he was killed by Ojuku. Ojuku felt treating by the popularity of N C Kaduna that is way he eliminated him. He was never killed by the Nigeria soldiers, rather they honored him with befitting burial. Get your facts right.

[@user-wi2ic5wk8j]

Lt. Col. Unegbu was killed in Kaduna by the coupists, those saying ethnic whatever failed to note that too. There was an archbishop from Kenya or Tanzania on a working visit to Okpara when the coup took place.

[@user-eq4si6sg5g]

If Donatus Okafor had accomplished his task this video wouldn’t have existed. Okafor who was later buried alive couldn’t accomplished anything on that fateful day. If Major Adewale Ademoyega had sent words earlier to Kaduna or gotten to Kaduna earlier, Major Nzeogwu would have matched Lagos cuz Kaduna was the base of the ammunition and he had loyal troops to match Lagos. Okafor why? Sadly you’re not here to give us your account.

[@phronesis2054]

He was a fool!!

[@FaisalOtuKanya]

He was the number one enemy of Nigerians and Nigeria in general.

[@youssefcamara3916]

Poor gallant fool! His youthful foolishness cost Nigeria so dearly. Un officier supérieur brillant, mais qui a eux la malchance de mal comprendre les complexités du Nigeria.

[@brancofabio8233]

You're a bastard. He's trying to let the young one rule and you call him the problem. Now, what's happening in Nigeria? Is the old men not ruling the Young one's?

[@youssefcamara3916]

@brancofabio8233 was that youthful foolishness worth the blood that has been spilled in Nigeria since that faithful evils day. I am afraid the answer is no. BTW, l asked that very question to a very ibo man in Kano many years ago. His answer was no. It was not worth all the deads and evils the country experienced. That was in 1982, and Nigeria was well off in those days because of the high oil prices. Donc, c'est vraiment toi qui est un imbécile, monsieur.

[@garbagarbaaliyu6922]

Ameen

[@awelechukwuemeka1382]

He is nether to me he is a fool with good intentions who didn't look down the path of what his actions will cause.

[@randonhon878]

Coup counter coup counter coup civil war coup counter coup counter coup 😂

[@Chuby_ubesie]

Its called the iron law of Oligarchy

[@Live_IT_]

But could the British have masterminded this?

[@nonsocharles8487]

Just read the book WHY WE STRUCK (Adewale Adamoyega) and get your answer

[@garbagarbaaliyu6922]

A, coward a murderer, who unjustly murderd unarmed civilians and yet brag about it, before he met his Waterloo in the hands of brave Nigerians troops,some thought he was a brave soldier, the rest they is history. Nigeria is and would never be the same.

[@emperordavid2044]

The great nzogwu

[@Kanoemirate]

If Nzeogu murdered your family, you will never be asking this question. The bias & your love for the charlatan is not hidden.

[@junetinaeugene3306]

Nzeogwu didn't murder every family members of the sarduana nor Ademulegun nor Pam. Aguiyi Ironsi later went on to recruit their relatives into his private security team which ultimately sealed his fate in the July rematch coup. Nzeogwu isn't a traitor nor a murderer. Don't say things you don't know.

[@ray_light44]

@@junetinaeugene3306 Nzeogwu is a murderer

[@brancofabio8233]

​@@ray_light44 You're a bastard. He's trying to let the young one rule and you call him the problem. Now, what's happening in Nigeria? Is the old men not ruling the Young one's? The northerners are always aggressive start from the Bible even from the beginning

[@Drew_nsppd]

If Nzeogwu didnt do what he had to do to sardauna, how many people would have been killed in his planned jihad?

[@abbahmagaji4113]

"who wanted good for the nation" lol

[@kunlrjaiye7294]

They decide to kill only yoruba and fulani heads they left igbos So the coup is a tribal cleanse

[@ugojoshua4963]

So are the likes of Okotie Eboh, Col. Chinyere Unegbu that were murdered during the coup not Igbos?

[@nurasani1020]

If should hausa have fault what did akintola did to igbo people?

[@Wargee4978]

Who told you that Akintola is the only yoruba person that they killed, they killed 6 yoruba people

[@nurasani1020]

@@Wargee4978 I know he is not only the one.giving one example it's okay a not a history teacher to explain it top to bottom

[@nurasani1020]

@@Wargee4978 who is popular more than akintola inside the six people please I want to know sir?

[@nurasani1020]

@Kelech Unaegbu if igbo man is a reach man who is the first and second reachest in nigeria, don't claim to be reach coz you people are not reach

[@valkyrie3493]

@Kelech Unaegbu 85% of Igbo people are richest? 🤣🤣🤣 I'd like to know the source of your statistics. 🤣🤣🤣

[@abdallah4640]

The coward did more harm than good, he killed the Yoruba and Hausa and spared his own tribe.

[@nwonyeemmanuel8037]

He was not the one in charge of killing Igbo leaders tho...he was in charge of North and he did his job

[@ugojoshua4963]

So the likes of Okotie Eboh, Col. Chinyere Unegbu not Igbos?

[@ogechiokata4306]

He was not the original coup plotters It was Emmanuel ifeajuna they fooled nzeogwu

[@clarktimothy9172]

He is one of the problem we have in Nigeria now

[@nosbyehigiator8022]

Aguyi ironsi was .... not emeka kaduna nzeogwu ...!

[@clarktimothy9172]

@@nosbyehigiator8022 Are you sure? Because this tribalism started since 1965

[@Wargee4978]

@@nosbyehigiator8022 Please study your history.Ironsi was only trying to protect them but he lost his life to that mistake

[@Wargee4978]

@@clarktimothy9172 Tribalism started with Nigeria but not 1965

[@kingsleyfelix]

@@clarktimothy9172 it started before 1965

[@louisalaurence7322]

What a waste

[@yusuphmustapha1338]

From the facts coming out there after,it was a tribal coup,wheather it was intentional or not that's another discussion.

[@uchennanwosu2488]

Obviously you did not watch this video and that is why you are biased😅😅

[@yusuphmustapha1338]

I don't need to because I old enough to know stories behind the coup and the events that led to the coup .