<P> The Nigerian counter-coup of 1966 , or the so - called `` July Rematch '' , was the second of many military coups in Nigeria . It was masterminded by Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed and many northern military officers . The coup began as a mutiny at roughly midnight on July 28 , 1966 and was a reaction to the killings of Northern politicians and Officers by mostly Igbo soldiers on January 15 , 1966 ( see 1966 Nigerian coup d'état . ) The July mutiny / counter coup resulted in the murder of Nigeria 's first military Head of State General Johnson Aguiyi - Ironsi and Lt Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi ( who was hosting a visiting Aguiyi - Ironsi ) in Ibadan by disgruntled northern non-commissioned officers ( NCOs ) . Upon the termination of Ironsi 's government , Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon was appointed Head of State by the July 1966 coup conspirators . </P>
<P> The Nigerian counter-coup of 1966 , or the so - called `` July Rematch '' , was the second of many military coups in Nigeria . It was masterminded by Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed and many northern military officers . The coup began as a mutiny at roughly midnight on July 28 , 1966 and was a reaction to the killings of Northern politicians and Officers by mostly Igbo soldiers on January 15 , 1966 ( see 1966 Nigerian coup d'état . ) The July mutiny / counter coup resulted in the murder of Nigeria 's first military Head of State General Johnson Aguiyi - Ironsi and Lt Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi ( who was hosting a visiting Aguiyi - Ironsi ) in Ibadan by disgruntled northern non-commissioned officers ( NCOs ) . Upon the termination of Ironsi 's government , Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon was appointed Head of State by the July 1966 coup conspirators . </P>
who lead the second military coup in nigeria
who lead the second military coup in nigeria
Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed
Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed