Yesterday in History: Lt. Col. Chukwuma “Kaduna” Nzeogwu Was Killed in Action

Yesterday in History: Lt. Col. Chukwuma “Kaduna” Nzeogwu Was Killed in Action

Yesterday in History: Lt. Col. Chukwuma “Kaduna” Nzeogwu Was Killed in Action

Yesterday, 29 July, marked the anniversary of the death of Lt. Col. Patrick Chukwuma “Kaduna” Nzeogwu, one of Nigeria’s most renowned military officers, who was killed in action near Nsukka, in present-day Enugu State, during the Nigerian Civil War in 1967.

Nzeogwu was leading a night reconnaissance mission when his unit ran into an ambush laid by Federal troops of the 21st Battalion under the command of Capt. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi. As he and his men attempted to break through the enemy position, Federal troops fired a powerful 106 mm recoilless rifle that penetrated their armoured car, killing him.

His elder sister later maintained that Nzeogwu had previously told her he would rather take his own life than be captured alive by Federal troops. In her words:

«”Chukwuma told me a few days earlier, ‘I would rather kill myself than fall into the humiliating hands of Federal troops.'”»

Following the battle, Lt. Abdullahi Shellen identified Nzeogwu’s body and ordered that it be taken to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, morgue. Shellen later recounted that, upon arriving at the morgue, he found that both of Nzeogwu’s eyes had been removed, a discovery he believed indicated ritual mutilation. He also revealed that the soldier who shot Nzeogwu had once served as his batman in the Nigerian Army.

Lt. Col. Nzeogwu died at the age of 30. His body was flown to the Military Cemetery in Kaduna, where he was buried with full military honours.

Reflecting on his death, Gen. Domkat Bali said:

«”Even in death, Nzeogwu was still respected by the Federal and Northern troops.”»

Bali also described him as one of Nigeria’s finest and most gallant soldiers.

Nzeogwu was a devout Catholic, a teetotaller, and a non-smoker. Although he never married, he was known for his discipline and dedication to military service. He spoke both Igbo and Hausa fluently.

Today, his grave remains at the Military Cemetery in Kaduna, where his name is still incorrectly spelt on the gravestone as Major K.C. “Chukuma” Nzegwu—a small but enduring reminder of one of the most controversial and remarkable figures in Nigeria’s military history.