By: Thomas Abidoye
Controversial investigative journalist, Dr Kemi Olunloyo has shared her experience about January 15th,1966 coup.
In a longe message posted on her official social media page, Dr Kemi stated that she was 17-month-old during the bloody coup where Samuel Ladoke Akintola and other Notable Nigerians were killed.
See the full text below;
THE LAST KID TO SEE AKINTOLA ALIVE JANUARY 15th 1966…..59 YEARS AGO.
The 1966 Coup 59 years later. I Believe In Premier Ladoke Akintola by #DrKemi Lawrence January 15th 2025
Remember the 17 month old child in the car that was seen leaving Ladoke Akintola’s house in Iyaganku, Ibadan January 15th 1966 moments before the army arrived to KILL him in that gun battle.
That was me Olukemi Olunloyo. My dad came to drop a letter to him to leave and that they had killed “everyone” in the North. 59 years ago Jan 15th 1966, a distinguished man was killed in Western Nigeria and he was the PREMIER. This anniversary of the day Nigeria changed forever let’s remember Samuel Ladoke Akintola, His deputy Premier Remi Fani-Kayode and his youngest commisioner (Special Duties and Economic planning) Victor Omololu Olunloyo my dad.
My father was 30yo and a commissioner in Akintola’s government. He ran to Akintola’s house that morning before the soldiers arrived. My mom a 26yo secretarial assistant was the one typing the letters fast as she told me.
I was 17 mos old and sick that morning sitting next to her then later taken to UI’s Jaja clinic. The letters were to tell the cabinet and others that the soldiers were “COMING”
and they had killed Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and Okotie-Eboh that morning. Meanwhile in Agodi government house, the Premier had vanished and went to his private residence armed with guns in Iyaganku.
My dad was with him while I was in the backseat of the car and told Akintola to leave! He said I will be an “Omo Akin” his last words meaning BRAVE TILL THE END. Akintola reportedly exchanged gunfire with the soldiers. MY FATHER AND I HAD JUST LEFT HIS HOUSE THAT MORNING minutes before the army arrived !! They could have killed him too considering they were sparing the children that morning and letting us witness TRAUMA.
Meanwhile on the Remi Fani-Kayode side at the Deputy Premiere’s residence in Agodi (still the Deputy Governor’s residence to this date) the soldiers arrived and were beating the hell out of @realFFK’s father with their guns RIGHT IN FRONT OF FEMI WHO WAS 5yo. Femi, myself and my mom recounted this moment Jan 2016 over the phone on the 50th anniversary. Femi told my mom he vividly remembers the tying up of his dad, the beatings, then the army coupists took his dad away. Remi Fani-Kayode later escaped death fleeing from the army coup plotters.
These pictures are the day my dad narrated it fully to me calling me to make an appointment to see him in his office. This is what he wanted to put on the record for me before he dies. My dad and I would not be here today if the army had met us there, but then remember the pattern: they did not kill the children but killed and tortured parents in front of kids. Femi watched his dad beaten, the Ademulegun kids watched their dad and pregnant mom executed.
The picture of Akintola at his office in 1960-1966 like they display on the wall of the Governor’s office remains in my dad’s office in Molete till today. Remember your heritage.
The coup was orchestrated by junior Igbo military officers and Ojukwu, Nnamdi Azikiwe and other top Eastern region leaders were conveniently OUT OF THE COUNTRY on vacation in the Caribbean when this mayhem and carnage happened. The July coup 6 months later was worse. A lot of Igbos were eliminated in revenge. WHAT A YEAR in Nigeria.
From an excerpt of my upcoming ebook #TheChildrenof1966
@HQNigerianArmy
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