Aguiyi-Ironsi Family Hails Fajuyi’s ‘Supreme Sacrifice’ 60 Years After

The family of Nigeria’s late former Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has paid glowing tribute to the late Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, describing his death as a “supreme and heroic sacrifice” that remains a defining symbol of loyalty and national unity.

In a letter of remembrance addressed to the Fajuyi family ahead of the 60th anniversary of his death on July 29, 2026, the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, through the late head of state’s son and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, honoured Fajuyi as a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the nation’s unity and integrity.

The family recalled that Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup. They noted that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior officer.

The statement described his action as reflecting the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood, transforming him into a national martyr whose legacy continues to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.

The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss while praying for continued strength and peace. They appreciated Nigerians and institutions that have consistently honoured Fajuyi’s memory, stating that such support proves that the sacrifice of a true patriot is never forgotten.

“He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness,” the statement read.

The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remains a national responsibility to remember and honour. They urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.

Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.