Late Colonel Anthony Aboki Ochefu, was a Military Governor of East Central State, from July 1975 to February 1976, during the military regime of General Murtala Mohammed.

 

During the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 – 1970, Ochefu was tasked with clearing Biafran troops from the riverine areas of the Midwest, taking Koko, Sapele, and Warri, before exploring northwards, to link up with Lt. Col. Murtala Mohammed’s 2nd Division.
His battalion was then used as a spearhead in the seaborne landing and capture of Calabar.

 

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Colonel Ochefu was Provost Marshall when he was one of the leaders of the coup that overthrew General Yakubu Gowon on July 29th, 1975.

As a Christian, he played an important role in involving Middle Belt officers in the planned coup.

Ochefu played an important role of pulling off the coup centered on the Army Headquarters, Dodan Barracks.

 

Immediately after the coup, he was appointed Governor of East Central State.

He was later removed from the office by General Murtala Mohammed and replaced by Atom Kpera.

 

Ochefu was shot dead at a petrol station at Oturkpo, Benue State on 25th November, 1999.

 

His beautiful wife Maria Ochefu, she too has a lot of historical memories around her (Mami Market).

Her name can never be forgotten in the history of the Nigerian Army.
She passed on Thursday, March 20, 2025

May their soul continue to rest in peace 🙏🏾 🕊️🕊️🕊️.

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Picture taken circa 1970
Excerpts of article – Idoma Voice

Credit for this post goes to Ugo Anyanwu…
Greg Nwoko

A West African Military Rulers: 1960s-1990s post