“Remembering a true friend, Adekunle Fajuyi who died alongside Aguiyi Ironsi in Ibadan.”
On 29 July 1966, Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi, visited Adekunle Fajuyi In Ibadan to address a conference of traditional rulers.
At 4 am, soldiers, led by Theophilus Danjuma and Joe Garba, drove into Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Their mission was to kidnap and kill Ironsi in a reprisal coup.
Adekunle Fajuyi refused to allow them take away Aguiyi Ironsi but they overpowered him.
Adekunle Fajuyi jumped on the vehicle conveying the Aguiyi Ironsi, even as the soldiers ordered him to stay away from the drama.
Adekunle Fajuyi forced himself into the vehicle as the murderers drove away with him and his guest, Aguiyi Ironsi their real target.
The soldiers drove to Lalupon on the outskirts of Ibadan. A wine tapper was watching the hideous drama unfolding in the bush under his palm tree.
As the desperate soldiers would make to shoot Aguiyi Ironsi, Adekunle Fajuyi would rush between them and Aguiyi Ironsi with his hands spread saying “you-cannot-kill-my-guest”.
He repeated the intervention many times so much that the killers were frustrated and angrily pumped hot bullets into Adekunle Fajuyi and Aguiyi Ironsi.
Fajuyi died a hero, a true friend, great officer and patriot.
– Chima Obinwanne
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