Humphrey Chukwuka is a retired Nigerian Army Major, former Biafran Army Colonel, and one of the principal plotters of the January 15, 1966 coup, an event that derailed Nigeria's nascent democracy and introduced military rule to Nigeria.
While serving as the Staff Officer at Army Headquarters (specifically Deputy Adjutant-General) under Lt. Col James Pam, the Adjutant-General, Chukwuka along with other Majors (Kaduna Nzeogwu, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Adewale Ademoyega, Don Okafor, and Timothy Onwuatuegwu) plotted to overthrow the civilian government of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa for what the plotters perceived as corrupt management of Nigeria. Chukwuka supported the Lagos operation of the January 15 coup under the supervision of Major Ifeajuna.
Chukwuka was tasked with arresting his commanding officer (Lt. Col James Pam) and was supported by 2nd Lt. Godwin Onyefuru and Sergeant Donatus Anyanwu. Chukwukaka, Onyefuru, and Anyanwu attacked Pam's Ikoyi Crescent home, shot out his car tires, and abducted Pam who was with his wife Elizabeth. Chukwuka, a regular guest at Pam's home, is said to have assured Elizabeth that Pam would not be harmed.[3] The trio drove to the Brigade Officer's Mess where Major Chris Anufuro, one of the principal coup plotters, confronted and scolded Chukwuka for bringing Pam to the Mess alive. Chukwuka responded to Anufuro that he wasn't prepared to spill any blood and had guaranteed Pam's safety to Pam's wife. Chris Anuforo executed Col. Pam later that evening when he asked Pam to step outside the vehicle and shot him.[4][2] After the failure of the coup, Chukwuka was detained in the East by General Aguiyi-Ironsi.
Nigerian Civil Waredit
After the outbreak of the Civil War in 1967, Chukwuka was released from prison by Colonel Ojukwu in 1967 and made a Biafran Lt. Colonel. Chukwuka commanded the Task Force that captured Warri during the Biafran Midwest invasion. After the Civil War, he was detained until 1975 when he was released.[5]
Recent yearsedit
Chukwuka sought out Mrs. Elizabeth Pam who served on the Human Rights Investigation Panel and apologized for his role in abducting Col. Pam and for his execution.[5]
Referencesedit
^Siollun, Max. Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (1966-1976). Algora Publishing, 2009. p. 35. ISBN9780875867106.
^ abOmoigui, Nowa. "The Key Players of the 1966 Rebellions-Where Are They Today?". Gamji. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
^Siollun, Max. Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (1966-1976). Algora Publishing, 2009. p. 49. ISBN9780875867106.
^Siollun, Max. Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (1966-1976). Algora Publishing, 2009. p. 52. ISBN9780875867106.
^ abSiollun, Max. Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (1966-1976). Algora Publishing, 2009. p. 241. ISBN9780875867106.
March 21, 2024
humphrey, chukwuka, retired, nigerian, army, major, former, biafran, army, colonel, principal, plotters, january, 1966, coup, event, that, derailed, nigeria, nascent, democracy, introduced, military, rule, nigeria, contents, career, participation, january, 196. Humphrey Chukwuka is a retired Nigerian Army Major former Biafran Army Colonel and one of the principal plotters of the January 15 1966 coup an event that derailed Nigeria s nascent democracy and introduced military rule to Nigeria Contents 1 Career 2 Participation in the January 15 1966 coup 3 Nigerian Civil War 4 Recent years 5 ReferencesCareer editChukwuka was commissioned into the Nigerian Army after officer cadet training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1960 1 2 Participation in the January 15 1966 coup editWhile serving as the Staff Officer at Army Headquarters specifically Deputy Adjutant General under Lt Col James Pam the Adjutant General Chukwuka along with other Majors Kaduna Nzeogwu Emmanuel Ifeajuna Adewale Ademoyega Don Okafor and Timothy Onwuatuegwu plotted to overthrow the civilian government of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa for what the plotters perceived as corrupt management of Nigeria Chukwuka supported the Lagos operation of the January 15 coup under the supervision of Major Ifeajuna Chukwuka was tasked with arresting his commanding officer Lt Col James Pam and was supported by 2nd Lt Godwin Onyefuru and Sergeant Donatus Anyanwu Chukwukaka Onyefuru and Anyanwu attacked Pam s Ikoyi Crescent home shot out his car tires and abducted Pam who was with his wife Elizabeth Chukwuka a regular guest at Pam s home is said to have assured Elizabeth that Pam would not be harmed 3 The trio drove to the Brigade Officer s Mess where Major Chris Anufuro one of the principal coup plotters confronted and scolded Chukwuka for bringing Pam to the Mess alive Chukwuka responded to Anufuro that he wasn t prepared to spill any blood and had guaranteed Pam s safety to Pam s wife Chris Anuforo executed Col Pam later that evening when he asked Pam to step outside the vehicle and shot him 4 2 After the failure of the coup Chukwuka was detained in the East by General Aguiyi Ironsi Nigerian Civil War editAfter the outbreak of the Civil War in 1967 Chukwuka was released from prison by Colonel Ojukwu in 1967 and made a Biafran Lt Colonel Chukwuka commanded the Task Force that captured Warri during the Biafran Midwest invasion After the Civil War he was detained until 1975 when he was released 5 Recent years editChukwuka sought out Mrs Elizabeth Pam who served on the Human Rights Investigation Panel and apologized for his role in abducting Col Pam and for his execution 5 References edit Siollun Max Oil Politics and Violence Nigeria s Military Coup Culture 1966 1976 Algora Publishing 2009 p 35 ISBN 9780875867106 a b Omoigui Nowa The Key Players of the 1966 Rebellions Where Are They Today Gamji Retrieved 28 January 2017 Siollun Max Oil Politics and Violence Nigeria s Military Coup Culture 1966 1976 Algora Publishing 2009 p 49 ISBN 9780875867106 Siollun Max Oil Politics and Violence Nigeria s Military Coup Culture 1966 1976 Algora Publishing 2009 p 52 ISBN 9780875867106 a b Siollun Max Oil Politics and Violence Nigeria s Military Coup Culture 1966 1976 Algora Publishing 2009 p 241 ISBN 9780875867106 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Humphrey Chukwuka amp oldid 1104516295, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
