How The First Minister Of Finance Was Killed In The 1966 Coup

 The first military coup in Nigeria occurred on January 15, 1966. This was led by Kaduna Nzeogwu,Emmanuel Ifeajuna and some other military officers. 

Many Nigeria officials were killed in the coup. In this story, you will be informed on how CHIEF OKOTIE EBOH who was the First Minister of Finance was killed in the Coup.

Picture Credit: HistoryVille 

While they were unloading the bodies, Anuforo observed that Okotie-Eboh was still alive and seated in the truck.

“Who is that man?” He asked Ademoyega. But the Finance Minister replied, "I am Okotie-Eboh.”

“He controls the treasury and the wealth of the public. Actually, "controlled" is the word now,” Ademoyega added mockingly.

“You can come down, sir,” Anuforo ordered the Minister as he stretched his hand towards him. The minister grabbed his hand as he stepped down from the truck.

“Oh! Thank you, thank you,” Okotie-Eboh said looking relieved as he descended the step ladder of the truck.

“You are to be shot, sir,” the Major told him with a sneer on his face.

“Ha! Please, don’t do this,” Okotie-Eboh pleaded for his life. “I’ll give you anything you want.”

“The only thing I want right now is for you to say your last prayers.”

“Please, you don’t have to do this. I’m begging you.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I’m only acting under orders. You are to be shot.”

“Please, don’t do this,” Okotie-Eboh kept pleading as he was being pushed to the bush by Anuforo and Ademoyega, followed by Igweze and one of the soldiers, to the spot where the bodies of the four senior officers had been dumped.

“Are you going to say your last prayers or not?” Anuforo asked for the last time but Okotie-Eboh kept begging.

When they got to where the corpses were, the Major, without hesitation, with a short burst from his SMG, killed the Finance Minister. Okotie-Eboh’s corpse was dumped together with the other corpses in the bush by the roadside.

Then, they drove off to the 2nd Recce Squadron in Abeokuta leaving Igweze and three other soldiers on guard over the bodies.

The “revolution” which looked promising at first, was now falling apart like a pack of cards. They had anticipated resistance from loyal troops to the government but it happened too fast and quickly. It was 5:00 a.m. and the cocks all over Lagos had started crowing. 

Source: HISTORYVILLE