Moves Towards Law And Order In Lagos

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 17

Moves Towards Law And Order In Lagos

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright) LAGOS, January 18. Nigeria’s new military rulers acted today to restore peace and order to the nation after the surrender of the rebel major who led an Army uprising.

The rebel leader capitulated yesterday with his followers to the man who is now virtual ruler of the republic: Major-Gen-eral Johnson AguiyiIronsi.

i Soon afterwards General Aguiyi-Ironsi announced to the nation his next task as military ruler: to restore law and order as soon as possible. The 41-year-old Nigerian Army chief announced the surrender of Major Chukuna Ezeogwu at a Lagos news conference yesterday. •General Disorder’

General Aguiyi-Ironsi described the upheaval as “general disorder in the Nigerian Army." There was still no firm word meanwhile of one casualty of the rebellion—Prime

Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, kidnapped by the rebels. “Every attempt is being made to locate him,” General Aguiyi-Ironsi said. Two regional Premiers— Chief Samuel Akintola of the Western Region and Alhaji Sir Ahmad Bello of the Northern Region—were kiled. British Tradition General Aguiyi-Ironsi, nicknamed by his troops “Big Johnny Ironsides” has leaped into prominence as the colourful personality of the attempted Nigerian revolt. He carries a stuffed baby crocodile as a swagger stick, and has been known to disperse a crowd of disorderly natives with one bellow of “Be off with you.” But he is seen as a soldier trained in the British tradition that a military and political life do not mix. At his news conference he spoke about his plans to restore peace to Nigeria by using strictly constitutional methods. New Constitution

A constitution, prepared in accordance with the wishes of the people, would ultimately be brought into effect, he said.

But the general indicated that he had no personal political ambitions beyond bringing

the nation of 55 million people back to stability. When asked whether he expected to remain in charge of the government after the new constitution had been introduced, the big, burly general replied: "I hope not.”