The two military coups that toppled civilian regimes in Nigeria were those of?

A. January 1966 and December 1983
B. July 1966 and August 1985
C. January 1966 and July 1975
D. February 1976 and December 1983

Correct Answer:

Option A – January 1966 and December 1983

Explanation

The Civilian government of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was ousted in a bloody coup led by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu on January 15, 1966. This first Military Coup in Nigeria then brought in Major General J.T.U Aguiyi Ironsi as the first Military Head of State of Nigeria.

On the 29th day of January 1966, the Military Government was overthrown in a bloody coup staged by Northern Regional Army Officers led by Lt Col. Yakubu Gowon.

On July 29, 1975, the Military government of General Yakubu Gowon was overthrown by General Murtala Muhammed in a bloodless coup. The coup took place while he, General Gowon was attending the O.A.U. summit at Kampala Uganda.

An aborted military coup was staged by Lt. Col. D.S.Dimka
Dinka on February 13, 1976. General Murtala Muhammed was killed in the exercise. General Olusegun Obasanjo then became the military head of state. On the 1st day of October 1979, General Obasanjo handed over the mantle of leadership to Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the first Executive President of Nigeria.

On December, 31,1983, the civilian government of Shehu Shagari was overthrown by General Muhammed Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon when they were at Mecca.

So the two military coups that toppled civilian regimes in Nigeria were those of January 1966 and December 1983.