The January 1966 Coup: A Nation’s Shock
On 15 January 1966, Nigeria experienced its first military coup, executed by a group of mostly junior army officers. The operation aimed to remove what the plotters deemed a corrupt and ineffective civilian government. The attacks were coordinated in Kaduna, Lagos, and Ibadan, targeting political leaders, senior military officers, and other high-ranking officials.
Among the most significant targets was Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria. Bello symbolised political stability and regional leadership in the North, and his residence in Kaduna became a focal point of the coup.
The Attack on the Sardauna’s Lodge
The Sardauna’s Lodge was both a family home and a working political centre. In the early hours of the coup, soldiers loyal to Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu entered the lodge to locate Bello. The soldiers’ mission was specific: eliminate the Premier.
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Historical records confirm that Sir Ahmadu Bello was killed inside his residence, along with his senior wife, Hafsatu Bello, and his personal security aide, commonly referred to as Zarumi. The deaths of these individuals were part of the targeted political action.
There is no verified evidence that other unrelated civilians, household staff, or visitors were deliberately killed during the attack. Historical accounts and the Special Branch Report of the 15 January rebellion focus only on Bello, his immediate household, and close aides.
Confirmed Casualties Across Nigeria
The January 1966 coup did not affect Kaduna alone. Several political and military leaders were assassinated in other locations, including:
- Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Prime Minister – killed in Lagos
- Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Premier of the Western Region – killed in Ibadan
- Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Minister of Finance – abducted and killed
- Senior military officers including Brigadiers Samuel Ademulegun and Zakariya Maimalari – killed in separate locations
These deaths reflected the coup plotters’ focus on top leadership rather than the civilian population. While the events were sudden and violent, casualties were limited to political and military figures and their immediate household members.
Immediate Impact on Northern Nigeria
The assassination of Sir Ahmadu Bello and other Northern leaders profoundly shocked the region. Bello’s death was perceived as a direct blow to Northern political leadership and stability. While the lodge attack did not involve mass civilian casualties, it amplified regional anxieties, contributing to a sense of vulnerability among Northern elites.
This sense of political and regional threat helped shape the responses that followed, including the July 1966 counter-coup, which was largely motivated by revenge for the January killings.
Legacy of the Sardauna’s Lodge Attack
The events at the Sardauna’s Lodge marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s post-independence history. They illustrated the fragility of Nigeria’s early political institutions and demonstrated how targeted political violence could destabilise an entire region.
The January 1966 coup ultimately deepened ethnic and regional divisions, setting Nigeria on a path toward cycles of military intervention and eventual civil war.
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Author’s Note
This article presents a factual account of the January 1966 coup and the targeted attack on the Sardauna’s Lodge. Sir Ahmadu Bello, his wife Hafsatu, and his close aide were the only confirmed deaths inside the lodge, reflecting the precision of the coup’s objectives. The narrative focuses on what actually happened, avoiding speculation or unverified claims. Readers should understand that the coup was a politically motivated assassination of Northern leadership, not a mass killing of civilians. The incident remains a significant historical turning point that shaped Nigeria’s political landscape.
References
- 1966 Nigerian coup d’état, casualties and historical context.
- Ahmadu Bello, assassination details and political significance.
- Special Branch Report: Military Rebellion of 15 January 1966, documented primary investigation.
