1990 Nigerian coup attempt : A photo captures the 1990 coup plotters during their trial: From left to right – Capt. Harley Empere, Major Gideon Orkar, Capt. Perebo Dakolo, Lt. Cyril Ozoalor, Lt. Nicholas Odeh, along with 36 others before they were executed by firing squad on July 27, 1990, under the government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
The 1990 Nigerian coup d’état attempt was a military coup attempt which took place in Nigeria on 22 April 1990 when a faction of Armed Forces officers, led by Major Gideon Orkar, attempted to overthrow the government of General Ibrahim Babangida (who himself took power in the 1985 coup d’état). The troops seized the FRCN radio station and various military posts around Lagos, including the military headquarters and presidential residence, the Dodan Barracks. Babangida was present when the barracks were attacked but managed to escape by a back route.
In the coup address, Orkar called for the excision of five northern states of Nigeria, he said Babangida was planning to install himself as Nigeria’s life president, and the Federal Military Government of marginalization of the people of Niger Delta and the entire Southern part of the country
Orkar was part of the peacekeeping contingent in Chad in 1978. He served in various units including the Reece at Kaduna, 82, Div, Enugu, and Armoured School, Bauchi. In 1986, he attended the senior Officers Course 9 at the Command and Staff College, Jaji. He also served as commander of Saki 22 Armoured Battalion in Oyo State. His last posting prior to the April 1990 coup was as a member of the Directing Staff of the Command and Staff College, Jaji
“I was brave enough to fight for the country’s freedom, yet they all see me as a traitor. In the years to come, the nation will understand and recognize what I was truly fighting for.” — Gideon Orkar
Source historylovers
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