On Wednesday July 29th, 2020 the family of the late Gen JTU Aguiyi Ironsi held a solemn remembrance day for the former military head of state in Umuahia. The son of the late head of state, Amb Tom Aguiyi Ironsi, the mother Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi and other family members gathered together to remember their father who was assassinated in a rematch coup on July 29, 1966.
Gen Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi was a Nigerian Army general who was the first Military Head of State of Nigeria. He came to power amidst the ensuing violence following the 15 January 1966 military coup, which decapitated the country’s leadership.
He ruled from 16 January 1966 until his assassination on 29 July 1966 by a group of mutinous Northern Nigerian officers and men who were led by Major Murtala Mohammed and included Captain Theophilus Danjuma, Lieutenant Muhammadu Buhari, Lieutenant Ibrahim Babangida and Lieutenant Sani Abacha in a revolt against his government in what was popularly called the July Counter Coup.
