Dogonyaro, soldier who announced Buhari’s overthrow dead at 80

 

BY KAZIE UKO

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…He was a thoroughbred soldier – Buhari

Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro, who as a Brigadier in the Nigerian Army in 1985 announced the overthrow of then Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, has died at the age of 80, family source announced Thursday.

Dogonyaro, while addressing the nation on the coup of December 31, 1983 that sacked Buhari from power said the armed forces “could not stay passive and watch a small group of individuals misuse power to the detriment of our national aspirations and interest.”

The broadcast accused the Buhari government of having wasted the country’s resources on “unproductive ventures”.

The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) during the regime of late General Sani Abacha, according to his first son, Joseph, had been sick and suffered a stroke Wednesday. He died early hours of Thursday.

“Daddy has been sick for some time until yesterday (Wednesday) when he had a stroke and we rushed him to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention. Unfortunately, early this morning (Thursday), around 3.00am precisely, he breathed his last.

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“His death comes as a rude shock to us as a family. We are going to miss his love and warmth as a grandfather, father, brother, uncle and supporter,” Joseph said, adding that the family would discuss funeral arrangements soon.

He described his father, a former Commander of ECOMOG, special military operations force constituted by West Africa member countries to fight insurgency in the region, as a General who was faithful and loyal to the nation, Nigeria.

“He was a general who had no biased mind as a detribalised Nigerian. He served this nation faithfully and identified with all Nigerians and Africa as a continent. We and Nigerians are going to miss him, having served humanity in this country and Africa as a whole,” Joseph said.

Late Lt. Gen. Dogonyaro, a soldier and an administrator, was born on September 12, 1940 in Vom, Plateau State, though a native of Taroh in Langtang North Local Government Area, Plateau State.

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Dogonyaro had his early education at Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri, and thereafter was enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1964.

He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, 1967 and promoted Lt. General in 1988, before his retirement in 1993.

…President Buhari mourns

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has described Dogonyaro as a thoroughbred soldier who professionally distinguished himself in the course of his military career, saying his death was “a great loss not only to the Nigerian military, but also to the country because of his patriotic sacrifices in defence of its unity and territorial integrity.”

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, the President said:

“The death of Dogonyaro comes as a great shock to me because as a soldier, I know what it means to lose such an officer and a gentleman who gave his best in the service of the country.

“As a thoroughbred soldier who had professionally distinguished himself in the course of his military career, the President notes that laying down one’s life for the country is one of the greatest sacrifices any citizen can make to his country. General Dogonyaro’s incalculable contributions will be remembered for years to come.”

President Buhari extended deepest condolences to the Government and people of Plateau State on the passing of “this legendary general.”