Major Nzeogwu’s Death: War, Silence & Nigeria’s Unresolved Questions
Major Kaduna Nzeogwu’s Death: War, Memory and an Unresolved Historical Controversy
MAJOR Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu remains one of the most polarising figures in Nigeria’s political and military history. A principal actor in the January 1966 coup, his life and death continue to attract scrutiny, not only for their political implications but also for the unresolved questions surrounding his final moments during the Nigerian Civil War.
The Nsukka Ambush
On 29 July 1967, in the early months of the civil war, Nzeogwu was travelling near Nsukka in what has been described as an improvised armoured vehicle. Federal troops, reportedly led by Captain Abubakar Gora, engaged the vehicle in an ambush. Gunfire was directed at the vehicle, resulting in the death of Nzeogwu and two or three other occupants, according to later eyewitness accounts.
At the time of the ambush, those involved reportedly did not immediately realise that Nzeogwu was among the casualties. Olu Mamdap, a former military driver attached to General Domkat Bali, later stated that the identity of the slain officer only became clear after the incident.
Identification and Custody of the Body
Lieutenant Abdullahi Shelleng, who was not present during the ambush, later encountered the remains and confirmed Nzeogwu’s identity. He reportedly ordered that the body be temporarily moved to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for safekeeping.
It was at this point that the narrative surrounding Nzeogwu’s death took a disturbing turn. By the time Shelleng arrived at the university premises, the body had reportedly been tampered with. Accounts describe the removal of the eyes, raising concerns about possible ritualistic motives or acts of desecration.
Absence of a Formal Investigation
What has troubled historians and analysts for decades is the apparent absence of a comprehensive military investigation into the condition of Nzeogwu’s body. Given the gravity of the allegation and the highly disciplined structure of the armed forces, the lack of a formal inquiry remains striking.
The failure to interrogate whether individual soldiers acted independently, whether command responsibility existed, or whether wartime indiscipline played a role has left a gap in Nigeria’s historical record. Scholars argue that this silence reflects the broader chaos and institutional strain of the civil war era, when survival often eclipsed accountability.
Military Honours and State Intervention
Following the transfer of the body to the 1st Division Headquarters in Makurdi, the General Officer Commanding, Colonel Mohammed Shuwa, reportedly briefed the Head of State, Major-General Yakubu Gowon. Gowon subsequently ordered that Nzeogwu’s remains be flown to Kaduna for burial with full military honours.
This decision underscored the complexity of Nzeogwu’s legacy. Despite his role in a coup that destabilised the First Republic, the federal government ultimately recognised his status as a Nigerian officer.
Legacy and Unanswered Questions
More than five decades later, the circumstances of Nzeogwu’s death remain partly unresolved. The allegations of post-mortem desecration, the absence of an investigation, and the decision to accord military honours continue to fuel debate about justice, memory and reconciliation in post-war Nigeria.
