1. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi seized power during the ensuing chaos after the 15 January 1966 military coup.
21 Facts About Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
1. 2.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was assassinated by a group of military officers from the Northern Region led by Murtala Mohammed.
3.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi took the last name of his brother-in-law as his first name in admiration of Mr Johnson for the father-figure role that he played in his life.
4.
In 1942, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi joined the Nigerian Regiment, as a private with the seventh battalion.
5.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was promoted in 1946 to company sergeant major.
6.
Also in 1946, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was sent on an officer training course in Staff College, Camberley, England.
7.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was granted a regular commission on 16 May 1953, and was promoted to captain with effect from the same date.
8.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was one of the officers who served as equerry for Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Nigeria when she visited Nigeria in 1956 and so he was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order.
9.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was promoted to Major on 8 October 1958.
10.
In 1960, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was made commanding officer of the fifth battalion in Kano, Nigeria, with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
11.
Later in 1960, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi headed the Nigerian contingent force of the United Nations Operation in the Congo.
12.
From 1961 to 1962, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi served as the military attache to the Nigeria High Commission in London, United Kingdom.
13.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, Military Division in the 1962 New Year Honours list.
14.
In 1965, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was promoted to the rank of major general.
15.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was named military head of state on 17 January 1966, a position he held until 29 July 1966, when a group of Northern army officers revolted against the government and killed Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.
16.
Also an Igbo, President Nnamdi Azikiwe refusing to intervene to ensure the continuity of civilian rule, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi effectively compelled the remaining members of Balewa's government to resign.
17.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi inherited a Nigeria that was deeply fractured by its ethnic and religious cleavages.
18.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi desperately tried to contact his Army Chief of Staff, Yakubu Gowon, but he was unreachable.
19.
Danjuma arrested Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and questioned him about his alleged complicity in the coup, which saw the demise of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello.
20.
The circumstances leading to Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi's death have remained a subject of much controversy in Nigeria until now people claimed it had something to do related on his nicknames and legend.
21.
The swagger stick with a stuffed crocodile mascot carried by Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was called "Charlie".