Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi | |
|---|---|
| 2nd Head of State of Nigeria | |
| In office 16 January 1966 – 29 July 1966 | |
| Chief of Staff | Babafemi Ogundipe |
| Preceded by | Nnamdi Azikiwe |
| Succeeded by | Yakubu Gowon |
| General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army | |
| In office February 1965 – 15 January 1966 | |
| President | Nnamdi Azikiwe |
| Prime Minister | Tafawa Balewa |
| Preceded by | Christopher Welby-Everard |
| Succeeded by | Yakubu Gowon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 March 1924 |
| Died | 29 July 1966 (aged 42) |
| Party | None (military) |
| Spouse | Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi |
| Occupation | Military officer |
| Awards | |
| Nickname | "Ironside" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | British Empire (1942–1960) Nigeria (1960–1966) |
| Branch/service | Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1966 |
| Rank | Major general |
| Unit | Commander, 2nd Brigade |
| Commands | Force Commander, ONUC |
| Battles/wars | Second World War Congo Crisis |
Preview warning: Page using Template:Infobox officeholder with deprecated parameter "serviceyears". Replace with "service_years".
Preview warning: Page using Template:Infobox officeholder with deprecated parameter "primeminister2". Replace with "prime_minister2".
Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi ⓘ GCFR MVO MBE (3 March 1924 – 29 July 1966) was a Nigerian military officer who served as the first military dictator and head of state of Nigeria. He seized power during the ensuing chaos after the 15 January 1966 military coup. Ironsi ruled from 16 January, until his assassination on 29 July 1966 during the July counter-coup. He was assassinated by a group of military officers from the Northern Region led by Murtala Mohammed.