₦airaland Forum

The family of the late former Head of State, Maj Gen Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has paid tribute to the late Lt Col Adekunle Fajuyi, describing his death as a “supreme and heroic sacrifice” that remains one of the most defining symbols of loyalty and national unity in Nigeria’s history.

Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”

The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.

They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.

According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.

The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.

It further appreciated Nigerians, institutions, and well-meaning individuals who had consistently honoured the memory of Fajuyi, describing such support as proof that “the sacrifice of a true patriot is never forgotten.”

The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”

The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.

It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.

Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.

Source: https://punchng.com/aguiyi-ironsi-family-honours-fajuyis-supreme-sacrifice

Hmmm what a noble Yoruba man

So Ironsi get family and they still fit dey talk for public?

That Fajuyi 'elected ' to die for Aguiyi Ironsi is a lie concocted by the Lagos- Ibadan expresway media houises. Fajuyi was clearly marked for death by the coup-plotters.

PulaPower:
But urgent 2k from Agulu said the narrative was not true..

Only few people, extremely few people can be loyal to you till point of D…th..

Why they find it to believe cos they can't do same. it is strange to them. kudos to the late general Fajuyi.

Hmmmm. Okay. Thanks for the info

Then we had gallant men and soilders who stood on believes and principles...


Now the only principle people care about is money.


Every other thing is meaningless!

That Fajuyi 'elected ' to die for Aguiyi Ironsi is a lie concocted by the Lagos- Ibadan expresway media houses. Do you know why that lie was necessary? They didn't want any confrontation with the Fulani north at that time just as they wouldn't want it now that even the same Fulani are kidnapping and killing people in the SW.

Fajuyi was clearly marked for death by the coup-plotters. They even lied that their source was a palmwine tapper who witnessed the execution of both men. When the fact of the matter is that when the coupist first arrested Fajuyi who went dowstairs to find out what was happening, Fajuyi actively tried to negotiate for his life in a bid to sell Ironsi away.

Fajuyi was in the 'marked for death' list of the coup plotters especially because they suspected him to be a part of the January '66 coup because he was the convener of the course under which canopy the coup was hatched.

This country is a crime scene, not just because of the evil perpetrated daily in it but also the propaganda and lies used to cover the bloodshed and betrayals.

Just read this excerpt and tell me if such a man was not a target:

The specific course that linked Lt. Colonel Fajuyi to the January 1966 coupists in the eyes of the counter-coup plotters was the Battle Group Course he commanded at Abeokuta in September 1965.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of how this training course became a critical factor in the July 1966 counter-coup:

1. The Stated Suspicion
The counter-coup plotters were convinced that Fajuyi had used the Battle Group Course as a covert platform to recruit and train the officers who would later execute the January 15, 1966 coup.

This belief was explicitly stated by key participants in the July 1966 counter-coup:

Lieutenant William Walbe (one of the abductors) said: "We suspected him of being party to the January coup. You remember the battle group course which he held at Abeokuta... All those who took part in the January coup were those who had taken part in that course. It gave us the impression that the battle course was arranged for the January coup, so he had to suffer it too."

Major Theophilus Danjuma (who led the coup) echoed this, stating that the plotters were "dead sure that Fajuyi was part of the January coup because Nzeogwu then and others rehearsed the coup on Sardauna’s place several times in Kachia during a training camp that was commanded by Fajuyi."

This is very commendable

That is an average Yoruba man for you, when they are loyal to you they remain loyal till death.

PulaPower:
But urgent 2k from Agulu said the narrative was not true..

Only few people, extremely few people can be loyal to you till point of D…th..

Why they find it to believe cos they can't do same. it is strange to them. kudos to the late general Fajuyi. Yorubas overtime as been caring for igbos but they pay with hatred and bitterness. Yorubas didn't stop you for presidency. they are just to smart politically and that is why they will continue to be position politically.

Igbophobia:
That Fajuyi 'elected ' to die for Aguiyi Ironsi is a lie concocted by the Lagos- Ibadan expresway media houises. Fajuyi was clearly marked for death by the coup-plotters.

He wasn't he could have survived if he didn't insist on not leaving his guest...


He wasn't involved in the previous coup and wasn't a target.


He died because he stood for ironsi!

Soldiers of fortune, early bandits 🤷🏿

Adekunle Fajuyi - a man without replica. A man that embodies the supreme unity the world lacks.

7 gunshots for man wey be man 😞🙏😔💪💯🧬🫆

Thank you for acknowledging and appreciating what Fajuyi did

You are unlike those whose Military Officer fathers fled for their lives back to their Region instead of rescuing both Fajuyi and Ironsi while there was still chance to save them alive

Their children are the ones still calling people cowards everywhere today

Igbophobia:
That Fajuyi 'elected ' to die for Aguiyi Ironsi is a lie concocted by the Lagos- Ibadan expresway media houises. Fajuyi was clearly marked for death by the coup-plotters.

Do you have any that served or still serving?

So these are what student study in school as Nigeria leadership
See face self nawa

brain54:
He wasn't he could have survived if he didn't insist on not leaving his guest...

He had no chance of leaving and was never given the option of leaving. TY Danjuma is still alive and can testify what happened that night since he was part of the coup that killed both men.

Ironically, others have brainwashed and manipulated the gullibles among them to believe that the Igbos are their problem.

Watch our brothers denied the fact

They know more than the family

Igbophobia:
That Fajuyi 'elected ' to die for Aguiyi Ironsi is a lie concocted by the Lagos- Ibadan expresway media houises. Fajuyi was clearly marked for death by the coup-plotters. They even lied that their source was a palmwine tapper who witnessed the execution of both men. When the fact of the matter is that when the coupist first arrested Fajuyi who went dowstairs to find out what was happening, Fajuyi actively tried to negotiate for his life in a bid to sell Ironsi away.

Fajuyi was in the 'marked for death' list of the coup plotters especially because they suspected him to be a part of the January '66 coup because he was the convener of the course under which canopy the coup was hatched.

This country is a crime scene, not just because of the evil perpetrated daily in it but also the propaganda and lies used to cover the bloodsheds and betrayals.

The children of the man have rendered their own account of what happened, what's your own business in the matter?!

kedeojo:
Why they find it to believe cos they can't do same. it is strange to them. kudos to the late general Fajuyi.

I would have been very surprised if one person did not make this type of comment here

SavageResponse:
The children of the man have rendered their own account of what happened, what's your own business in the matter?!

They were children and apart from a call that Ironsi made to his wife before the soldiers even gained access to the compound, they had no way of knowing what transpired. Even Ironsi's son could not have been there when both men were executed and live to tell the tale. Read. Africans find is difficult to make independent research. That's why they could deceive you guys in 2015 with Saviour propaganda of Buhari.

Igbophobia:
He had no chance of leaving and was never given the option of leaving. TY Danjuma is still alive and can testify what happened that night since he was part of the coup that killed both men.

Someone reading this rubbish would think you were there when the incident happened

Igbophobia:
That Fajuyi 'elected ' to die for Aguiyi Ironsi is a lie concocted by the Lagos- Ibadan expresway media houises. Fajuyi was clearly marked for death by the coup-plotters.

It is Gen Ironsi's Family that gave the Statement of appreciation

Thomas Ironsi was there
His Father Gen Ironsi had hidden him behind the door then he himself hid in the Cupboard before Ironsi and Fajuyi were taken away

He knows what happened

Fajuyi's sister who was there also gave an interview too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOR2RM-0xx4?si=mliV3ehVgfOSc2PG

A friend like Fajuyi is what everyone should pray for. In the wee hours of July 29 1966 coup when the military mutineers surrounded the Military Governor's Lodge in Ibadan, baying for his guest who happened to be the Commander in Chief, Fajuyi was never the target. He could have simply handed over his boss to the mutineers, but he decided that he must be taken with his boss and friend, whatever was the fate of his boss was what he pledge to. That is loyalty, that is honor. He paid the supreme sacrifice alongside Ironsi rather than chicken out. His name lingers in the hearts of generations born after this event for the great act of courage, choosing to die with your guest than allow him journey alone.