1966 coup: Nzeogwu’s rascality impacted Igbos negatively – Ikechukwu

A Professor of Strategic Management and Human Capital Development, Okey Ikechukwu, has claimed the ‘rascality’ of late Major Kaduna Nzeogwu during the 1966 military coup has affected the Igbo negatively.

Ikechukwu made this assertion on Thursday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He was speaking on the 1966 military coup, saying Nigerian elders at that time knew there was a misunderstanding.

According to him, the Igbo did not send Major Nzeogwu on any errand.

“Unfortunately, the aftermath of Nzeogwu’s rascality impacted negatively on the Igbos. Myths started to arise, worsened by low-grade politics.

“Nzeogwu was a Major. He killed some of the most respected Nigerians. His colleagues didn’t kill those they were asked to kill, and because of the ethnic connection, they say, ‘Oh, it’s their brothers they spared’. But what’s the profile of the man behind it?

“As a soldier, you know that a senior officer does not take instructions from a junior officer.

“So, for a Major in the Nigerian Army to enter a radio station, announce he had taken over, and then in the process of that announcement, is instructing the GOCs to take over and be in charge of the areas.

“You’re addressing Brigadiers-General. You are not even a Lieutenant-Colonel,” Ikechukwu said.