The military coup of January 15, 1966, led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu and others, resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals, including prominent political leaders, military officers, their spouses, and sentinels. Below is the list of casualties:
Political Leaders
Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Premier Ahmadu Bello (Premier of Northern Nigeria)
Premier Samuel Ladoke Akintola (Premier of Western Nigeria)
Finance Minister Festus Okotie-Eboh
Ahmadu Bello’s Household and Associates
Ahmed Ben Musa (Bello’s Senior Assistant Secretary for Security)
Hafsatu Bello (Wife of Ahmadu Bello)
Zarumi Sardauna
Ahmed Pategi (Bello’s Driver)
Military Officers and Their Spouses
Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun
Latifat Ademulegun (Wife of General Ademulegun)
Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari
Colonel Ralph Shodeinde
Colonel Kur Mohammed
Lt. Colonel Abogo Largema
Lt. Colonel James Pam
Lt. Colonel Arthur Unegbe
Police Officers and Sentinels
Police Constable (PC) Yohana Garkawa
Lance Corporal Musa Nimzo
Police Constable (PC) Akpan Anduka
Police Constable (PC) Hagai Lai
Others
Philip Lewande
Sergeant Daramola Oyegoke (Refused Nzeogwu’s order in the attack on Ahmadu Bello’s lodge and was reportedly murdered by Nzeogwu).
This coup marked the beginning of military intervention in Nigeria’s governance, plunging the country into a series of political crises, including the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). The assassination of key leaders reflected the deep ethnic and regional tensions within the country at the time.
