Nnamdi Kanu Takes Legal Action Against ‘Igbo Coup’ Label
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has issued a directive to his legal team to take swift legal action against anyone who continues to refer to the 1966 military coup in Nigeria as an “Igbo coup.” Kanu, speaking through his lawyers, condemned the misleading historical narrative, pointing out that only two Igbo individuals were involved in the plot.
This directive was revealed by Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, during a routine meeting with the legal team at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja. Ejimakor shared the information on his X handle, emphasizing that the deliberate distortion of history is rooted in deep-seated ethnic prejudice. He argued that the baseless hatred and false labeling of the coup as an “Igbo coup” are part of the reasons for Kanu’s ongoing detention without trial.
Ejimakor posted: “At today’s visitation with #MNK, he instructed us to pursue legal action against anyone or any entity that continues to label the 1966 coup as an Igbo coup. A detailed breakdown of the coup plotters and their ethnicities is as follows:
- Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu — IGBO
- Major Adewale Ademoyega — YORUBA
- Major E. Ifeajuna — IGBO
- Capt. G. Adeleke — YORUBA
- Capt. Gibson Jalo — BALI
- Capt. Swanton — MIDDLE BELT
- Lt. Fola Oyewole — YORUBA
- Lt. R. Egbiko — ESAN
- Lt. T. Katsina — HAUSA/FULANI
- Lt. O. Olafemiyan — YORUBA
- Lt. Hope Eghagha — URHOBO
- Lt. Dag Warribor — IJAW
- 2nd Lt. Saleh Dambo — HAUSA
- 2nd Lt. John Atom Kpera — TIV
Out of these 14, only 2 were of Igbo descent, so why the term ‘Igbo coup’ is used remains a mystery driven by hate.”
Kanu’s legal counsel further criticized the distortion of history, calling it an example of unwarranted ethnic animosity. Kanu himself, who has been detained for years under controversial circumstances, expressed that this misrepresentation fuels hatred and contributes to his prolonged detention without trial. As a leader, he is committed to preventing any Igbo person from enduring similar injustices and judicial oppression.
