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1000Reasons
Counter-coup kills Ironsi and brings Gowon to power — archival photograph

July 1966Landmark

Counter-coup kills Ironsi and brings Gowon to power

Northern officers led a counter-coup in which Ironsi and others were killed; Yakubu Gowon emerged as head of state.

Hall of FameMilitary I

July 1966

Counter-coup kills Ironsi and brings Gowon to power

Northern officers led a counter-coup in which Ironsi and others were killed; Yakubu Gowon emerged as head of state.

1000reasons.voteAmerican Historical Association

What happened

Northern officers led a counter-coup in which Ironsi and others were killed; Yakubu Gowon emerged as head of state. The counter-coup deepened ethnic military division and accelerated the chain of events leading to civil war.

Photo: Akinola kila · Source

Sources

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