Opinion
By Stanley Oranika
FORMER Military President General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) has dropped a bombshell in his new memoir, A Journey in Service, upending long-held beliefs about Nigeria’s first coup and the civil war. His revelations are sparking nationwide intrigue – and for good reason.
Here are five key truths from IBB’s book that rewrite the 1966 story and why they could be a game-changer for Nigeria.
1. The January 1966 Coup Was Not an “Igbo Coup”
For decades, many have labeled the January 15, 1966 coup as an ethnically Igbo conspiracy. Babangida’s memoir shatters this notion.
What Really Happened?
• The coup’s primary objective wasn’t Igbo domination but to free Chief Obafemi Awolowo (a prominent Yoruba leader) from prison and install him as Prime Minister.
• Officers from various ethnic groups took part, including Major Adewale Ademoyega, Captain Ganiyu Adeleke, and Lt. Fola Oyewole—all Yoruba, not Igbo.
• Some Igbo officers were victims, such as Lt-Col. Arthur Unegbe, who was killed by the plotters.
• An Igbo officer (Major John Obienu) helped crush the coup attempt, proving it wasn’t an ethnic uprising.
Why This Matters:
This revelation debunks the myth that the coup was a tribal power grab by the Igbo. Instead, it was a politically motivated and multi-ethnic intervention gone awry.
2. British Propaganda Fanned Ethnic Hate
One of the most startling claims in Babangida’s account is the role of British influence in twisting the narrative.
How Britain Shaped the Narrative:
• The UK government and its media (BBC) deliberately branded the coup as an “Igbo coup” to sow ethnic division.
• This propaganda poisoned relations between groups, particularly the Igbo and Yoruba, planting long-term political animosity.
• Britain allegedly had an agenda to destabilize Nigeria, fearing the economic strength and assertiveness of the Igbo region.
The Impact:
The tribal mistrust following the coup was not purely homegrown—it was manipulated by colonial interests. This chilling reminder shows how outside forces exploited Nigeria’s fault lines for their own benefit.
3. The Coup Lie Led to a Catastrophic Civil War
The false “Igbo coup” narrative had disastrous repercussions.
What Happened Next?
• In response, there were pogroms and massacres against the Igbo in the North.
• The July 1966 “counter-coup” followed, plunging Nigeria into ethnic turmoil.
• By 1967, the Eastern Region (dominated by Igbo) felt cornered and declared independence as Biafra—sparking the Nigerian Civil War.
• The war (1967–1970) led to the death of up to 3 million Igbo people, mostly women and children.
The Truth:
Elder statesman Dr. Chike Obidigbo observes:
“No Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Hausa, or even Itsekiri can point to any benefit from the war.”
Nigeria’s greatest tragedy wasn’t any one ethnic group—it was the lies and hatred that set us against each other.
4. Biafra Arose from Self-Defense, Not Greed
Babangida’s memoir supports the long-held Igbo perspective that Biafra wasn’t an ambition-driven secession—it was an act of survival.
The Real Reason for Biafra:
• The war didn’t start because of a power struggle but because thousands of Igbo were being killed in the North.
• Nigeria’s leaders failed to stop the massacres, leaving the Igbo no choice but to break away in self-preservation.
• Babangida acknowledges that Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu didn’t seek war but sought to protect his people from genocide.
Why This Matters:
This reframing is groundbreaking—for the first time, a prominent Northern figure agrees that the Biafrans acted out of fear, not greed. This adds weight to calls for the Nigerian government to acknowledge the starvation policies and war atrocities as a human tragedy that deserves recognition.
5. Time for Truth, Accountability & Reconciliation
Perhaps the most important aspect of IBB’s revelations is what they mean for Nigeria today.
A National Reckoning:
• By setting the record straight decades later, Babangida has opened the door for national healing.
• Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo organization, calls his admissions a “pivotal moment” for justice and reconciliation.
• Ohanaeze has even demanded ₦10 trillion in reparations for the “historical wrongs” committed against the Igbo.
The Public Reaction:
• Nigerians are debating these once-suppressed truths on social media and in the press.
• Calls for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission are growing louder.
Could Babangida’s memoir be the catalyst Nigeria needs to finally confront its past and build a unified future?
Why It Matters
These revelations aren’t just about re-litigating the past—they’re about learning from it.
What If Nigeria Told Its History Truthfully?
• No ethnic group would be scapegoated for 1966.
• The real culprits—violence, prejudice, and foreign manipulation—would be acknowledged.
• Former adversaries could mourn together, rather than argue over the past.
When a figure of Babangida’s stature admits that Nigeria’s greatest schism was built on lies, it compels us all to pause and reflect.
What’s Next?
A national conversation is brewing:
• Will the government respond?
• Will more eyewitnesses come forward?
• Will Nigeria finally confront its past?
Trending hashtags like #1966Truth, #IBBRevelations, and #NigeriaHistoryMatters show a growing thirst for truth and justice.
Potential Next Steps:
A Truth & Reconciliation Commission
An official apology from the government
Inclusion of all perspectives in Nigerian history books
Memorials for victims of the war and pogroms
“Nigeria can’t build a united future on falsehood. It’s time to tell the truth, no matter how uncomfortable, and heal as one nation.”
Final Thoughts: A Rare Second Chance
IBB’s bold revelations have given Nigeria an unprecedented opportunity to face the truth and say “Never Again” to the manipulations that led to the civil war.
If embraced, this moment could lead to historic accountability, genuine reconciliation, and a stronger, more united Nigeria.
The conversation has started—and it’s one we must not ignore.
Sources
• Babangida, I. A Journey in Service (2025)
• Tribune Online
• The Boss Newspaper
• Ohanaeze Ndigbo Statement
• Historical records detailing British propaganda, the multi-ethnic nature of the coup, war casualties, and calls for justice and reconciliation.
A.I
Feb. 26, 2025
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