Confusion Trails Reported Death Of Former Military Head Of State, Yakubu Gowon

There is confusion over the reported death of a former military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon.

Naija News understands that some platforms on Monday reported that Gowon reportedly died at the age of 89.

However, some platforms debunked the report, maintaining that the former military leader is not dead, and added that he is hale and hearty, currently in London.

Amidst the confusion, a personal aide to General Yakubu Gowon, Adeyeye E. Ajayi has denied the rumoured death of his principal.

Quoting Gowon he said, “I am still around and well. I am not in a hurry.” 

Gowon is from Lur, a small village in the present Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State.

He was born in October 1934. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1954 and was trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. He rose to the rank of general in 1966.

He was the head of state of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, during which time he presided over the Nigerian Civil War.

Gowon led the country during the Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970.

After the war, Gowon promised to return Nigeria to civilian rule. However, he was overthrown in a bloodless coup in 1975.