Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, first Nigerian President Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, leading assassin during the first coup of Jan. 1966 Maj. Gen. A. Ironsi, first military ruler, killed during the second coup of July 1966 Brig. V. Banjo, assassinated before the war for allegedly planning to overthrow Ojukwu Maj. Y. Danjuma, key player in July 1966 coup and Ironsi’s assassin Sir Ahmadu Bello, former Premier of the North, killed during the Jan. 1966 coup Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, first Nigerian Prime Minister, killed during the Jan. 1966 coup Col. M. Muhammed, key player in July 1966 coup, executed in 1976 as military head of state Brig. Z. Maimalari, assassinated during Jan. 1966 coup Lt. Col. A. Fajuyi, killed during the July 1966 coup Gen. Yakubu Gowon became head of state after the July 1966 coup Maj. Emmanuel Ifeajuna, high jump gold medalist, 1954 Commonwealth Games, one of the ringleaders of the Jan. 1966 coup
