The 1966 Nigerian counter-coup (also known as the "July Rematch") was the second of many military coups in Nigeria. It was masterminded by Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed[4] and many northern military officers. The coup began as a mutiny at roughly midnight on 28 July 1966[5] and was a reaction to the killings of Northern politicians and officers by some soldiers on 15 January 1966 (see 1966 Nigerian coup d'état). The July mutiny/counter coup resulted in the murder of Nigeria's first military Head of State General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and Lt Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi (who was hosting a visiting Aguiyi-Ironsi) in Ibadan by disgruntled northern non-commissioned officers (NCOs).[6] Upon the termination of Ironsi's government, Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon was appointed Head of State by the coup conspirators.
| 1966 Nigerian counter-coup | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Supreme Military Council of Nigeria | Northern Army Officers | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi † Adekunle Fajuyi † | Murtala Muhammed Joseph Akahan Theophilus Danjuma Martin Adamu | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| unknown | unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 300 dead[1] | none[2] | ||||||
Reasons for the counter-coup
According to historian Max Siollun northern soldiers had a list of grievances[7] following the aborted 15 January 1966, coup which led to the planning of the counter-coup. A list of their grievances were:
- The murder of northern civilian leaders and military officers in the aborted 15 January 1966, coup d'etat
- The 15 January 1966, coup conspirators (mostly Majors) had not been tried for treason and were being paid while in detention.
- The passage of the Unification Decree.
- Rumors of an "Igbo coup" to eliminate northern soldiers.
- The promotion of several Igbo Majors to Lt. Colonel.
- Rumors of General Aguiyi-Ironsi's ethnic favoritism toward Igbos.
- Plans to swap the 1st and 4th battalions and plans to rotate the military governors of the different regions.
Coup participants
The principal coup plotters are listed below:[8]
- Lt. Colonel Joseph Akahan (Commander, 4th Battalion Kaduna)
- Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed (Inspector of Signals, Lagos)
- Major Theophilus Danjuma (Principal Staff Officer, Army HQ, Lagos)
- Major Abba Kyari (Artillery, Kaduna)
- Major Martin Adamu (2nd Battalion Lagos)
- Major Shittu Alao (Nigerian Airforce HQ, Lagos)
- Major Musa Usman (Nigerian Air Force, Lagos)
- Captain Joseph Garba (Federal Guards Lagos)
- Captain Isa Bukar (Federal Guards Lagos)
- Captain Ibrahim Taiwo (Lagos Garrison Yaba)
- Captain Baba Usman GSO (Grade II, Army HQ, Lagos)
- Captain Abdul D.S. Wya (3rd Battalion, Kaduna)
- Lieutenant Muhammadu Buhari (2 Brigade Lagos)
- Lieutenant Ibrahim Babangida (1st Reconnaissance Squadron, Kaduna)
- Lieutenant Ibrahim Bako (4th Battalion, Ibadan)
- Lieutenant William Walbe (2nd Battalion, Lagos)
- Lieutenant Mamman Vatsa (4th Battalion, Ibadan)
- Lieutenant Buka Suka Dimka (Nigerian Military Training College Kaduna)
- Lieutenant Yakubu Dambo (3rd Battalion Kaduna)
- Lieutenant Garba A. Dada (Adjutant 4th Battalion Ibadan)
- Lieutenant Garba Duba (1 Reconnaissance Squadron Kaduna)
- Lieutenant Mohammed Balarabe Haladu (4th Battalion, Ibadan)
- Lieutenant Malami Mahe Nassarawa (2nd Battalion, Lagos)
- Lieutenant James Onoja (4th Battalion, Ibadan)
- Lieutenant Abdulahhi Shelleng (Company Commander, 4th Battalion, Ibadan)
- Lieutenant Paul Chabri Tarfa (Federal Guards, Lagos)
- Lieutenant D.S. Abubakar (Abeokuta Garrison)
- Second Lieutenant Sani Abacha (3rd Battalion Kaduna)
- Second Lieutenant Muhammadu Gado Nasko (Artillery, Kaduna)
- Sergeant Paul Dickson
- Sergeant Sabo Kwale (Abeokuta Garrison)
- Corporal John Shagaya (2nd Reconnaissance Squadron, Abeokuta)