They have not because discretion, they say, is the better part of valour. These included Brigadier Z. Maimalari, a Northerner, a disciplined and highly detribalised officer who was highly regarded as more qualified than Ironsi to head the Nigerian Army, if he had pulled any political strings, Lt. Cols. J.Y. Pam, a Northerner and A. Largema, also a Northerner. Cols R.A. Shodeinde, another Yoruba and Kur Mohammed, a Northerner. Worst still, Mrs. Ademulegun, a housewife and not a soldier, was killed cold bloodedly in bed.
People regard military people as officers and gentlemen.
Gentlemen do not kill ladies. Only cowards do. Of course, Ndigbo would give us the shop-worn excuse that Nzeogwu and his murderous coup plotters were fired with nationalistic zeal, such zeal as is being demonstrated now in their wanting to have their fingers in every pie. I find more of them up North today than I find in the East, it is just that unlike empty barrels, they do not make that much noise. It is customary for Presidents to be around and give an address and some party to the meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of States, which held in Nigeria till the morning of the coup.