The first military Head of State, Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, and the first military Governor of the defunct Western State, Lt.-Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi

Ironsi, Fajuyi: 53 years after

•The late Gen Ironsi (middle), the late Admiral Adewale Wey and Former Inspector of Police Cam Salem

The first military Head of State, Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, and the first military Governor of the defunct Western State, Lt.-Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, were assassinated 53 years ago in the counter coup of July 29, 1966. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the circumstances that led to their demise and the implication of the Federal Government’s failure to honour Fajuyi, the gallant soldier who sacrificed his life for national unity.

It is exactly 53 years that the first military governor of Western State, Lt.–Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, was assassinated in a counter coup, led by northern officers. Fajuyi emerged as  governor, following the  coup of January 15, 1966 that threw up Major General  Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi as the first military Head of State. The regime was short lived. It didn’t last more than six months. Ironsi was assassinated along with Fajuyi by the revenge seeking coup plotters, led by Major Theophilus Danjuma at Ibadan