The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has demanded N10 trillion in compensation from the federal government for the losses suffered by the Igbo people during and after the 1966 military coup. The group also announced plans to stage mass protests across the Southeast if their demands are not met.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the OYC described the 1966 coup and its aftermath as a “dark chapter” in Nigeria’s history that continues to haunt the Igbo nation. The group argued that the events, including the civil war that followed, resulted in massive loss of lives, property, and economic opportunities for the Igbo people.
“The federal government must take responsibility for the injustices meted out to the Igbo nation. We demand N10 trillion as compensation for the suffering and losses endured by our people. This is not just about money; it is about justice and reconciliation,” said Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, National President of the OYC.
The youth council also called for the implementation of the recommendations of the Oputa Panel, a truth and reconciliation commission set up in 1999 to address human rights violations in Nigeria. The group accused successive governments of ignoring the panel’s findings, particularly those related to the plight of the Igbo people.
To press home their demands, the OYC announced plans to organize mass protests across the Southeast and other parts of the country. “If the federal government continues to ignore our demands, we will have no choice but to take to the streets. We will mobilize our people and make our voices heard,” Igboayaka warned.
The 1966 coup, which led to the assassination of prominent political and military leaders, is widely regarded as a turning point in Nigeria’s history. The coup and the counter-coup that followed exacerbated ethnic tensions and ultimately led to the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), which claimed over a million lives, mostly Igbos.
The OYC’s demand has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the call for compensation and others questioning its feasibility. Political analysts have noted that the issue of reparations for historical injustices remains a contentious topic in Nigeria, with various groups making similar demands.
As the OYC prepares for its planned protests, the federal government is yet to respond to the group’s demands. However, the development is expected to reignite debates about Nigeria’s history, national unity, and the need for genuine reconciliation.