So these three men had some special relationships whether positively or otherwise. Early in his career, according to historical reports, Murtala Muhammed was taught military tactics by Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.
Then, in 1962, Murtala served as a member of the Nigeria-led UN peacekeeping force in the Congo. This same peacekeeping force was later commanded by Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, who would subsequently become Nigeria’s first military Head of State.
However, in the course of time, the irony of life set in between Ojukwu (the teacher) and Murtala (the student) as both ended up becoming major actors in opposing directions against each other in the battlefield.
NB: Colourised photo collage of Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi on the left, Murtala Muhammed on the right and Chukwuemeka Ojukwu below.
Source : Ethnic African Stories
