Joshua Dongonyaro who read the speech to announce overthrowing of Buhari is dead
Former Field Commander of ECOMOG General Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro is dead.
Dogonyaro died in Jos on Thursday morning at the age of 80.
His first son, Joseph Dongoyaro who broke the news of his death in a telephone interview with NAN said “Daddy has been sick for some time until yesterday when he had a stroke and we rushed him to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention.
“Unfortunately, early this morning of Thursday, around 3.00am precisely, he breathed his last and died.
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“His death comes as a rude shock to us as a family. We are going to miss his love and warmth as a grandfather, father, brother, uncle and supporter.”
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He said the family was trying to cope with the shock of the General’s demise and would release funeral details soon.
He said the corpse has been deposited at the Air Force hospital mortuary.
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Joshua Dongoyaro was popular for being a member of the ‘langtang Mafia’ during his days in the military. He was also responsible for announcing the coup that removed current President, Muhammadu Buhari from power in 1985.
He read the coup speech that ousted the Buhari military junta and brought in the Ibrahim Bademosi Babangida junta on August 27, 1985. Born in 1940 at Vom Missionary Hospital, Vom, Plateau State, he attended Saint Peter CMS Primary School, Bukuru, from where he gained admission into Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri.
Dongoyaro later moved to Dental Technology School, Broad Street, Lagos, gaining admission into the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna shortly after.
He was commissioned Second-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, 1967; Officer Commanding, 1 Recce Squadron, NA, 1967-69; Quartermaster General, I Infantry Division (Main), N, 1969-70.