Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was born on 26 February 1937 – and died 29 July 1967, was a Nigerian military officer who played a leading role in the January 15, 1966 military coup, an event that derailed Nigeria’s weak democratic setting. The coup was planned and carried out by Nzeogwu and other young military officers from other regions of Nigeria. The coup is what some intellectual chose to call “the birth of the first Nigeria revolution”.

On 30 May 1967, Biafra declared its Independence from Nigeria; this was spurred by the incessant killing of Igbos in Northern Nigeria and the refusal of then military head of state General Yakubu Gowon to mobilize security personnel to stop the killings. On 29 July 1967, Nzeogwu – who had been promoted to the rank of a Biafran Lt. Colonel – was trapped in an ambush near Nsukka while conducting a night reconnaissance operation against the Nigerian Federal troops of the 21st battalion under Captain Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi.

Patrick Chukwuma Nzeogwu was killed in action and his corpse was subsequently identified. After the no victor, no vanquished, Biafra surrendered leading to the end of the war, orders were given by the Head of the Nigerian government, Major General Jack Yakubu Gowon, for Nzeogwu’s corpse to be buried at the military cemetery in Kaduna with full military honours. Chukwuma Nzeogwu was a Biafran who fought on the side of his people. He died defending the land from the invading forces of darkness, He died fighting the federal troops who came to the peaceful land of Biafra to kill and pillage our land. Though he was later buried in Nigeria’s Barracks on the order of the then military head of state. Chukwuma Nzeogwu shall be remembered for fighting and putting a stop to the ever first jihad in Nigeria.

On the 30th day of May 2020 when Biafrans shall honour the efforts and sacrifices of her heroes and heroines shall Chukwuma Nzeogwu be remembered. Chukwuma Nzeogwu’s braveness to stop the spread of jihad from gulping the Nigerian state is worthy commendable and should not be forgotten, it should be emulated in a time like this when the security of our land is of utmost concern in the hands of Fulani security chiefs who has avowed to help spread jihad in Biafra land. From the spirit world, we say Nzeogwu should keep on fighting the enemies of Biafra until her restoration.

Published by:
Chibuike John Nebeokike
For: Radio Biafra Media