Hello everyone, how is your day going hope you all are having fun..
In my last post here in education hive I promise to come back with a another interesting topic so today I shall write about THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT AND THE DEFENCE IN NIGERIA.
The military men took over the government of Nigeria from the civilians on the 15th January 1966, this was the first army takeover and Major General Aguiyi Ironsi became the head of the military government. But on the 29th July 1966, there was another army takeover in Nigeria. This time, General Gowon then lieutenant colonel. Became the head of state and Commander - in - Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces.
The second Republic still the Army Regime 1966- 1975 headed by General Yakubu Gowon was brought to an end on July 29th, 1975 The third Republic was head by General Murtala Muhammed which came to power in July 1975 was suddenly brought to a halt on the 13th of February 1976 when the head General Murtala Muhammed was murdered by lieutenant colonel B. S. Dimka in an attempted coup that failed. Though General Murtala Muhammed is dead, Nigerians believe that his soul marches on. during the regime of lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo the polices of General Murtala Muhammed were still carried out by the military.
DEFENCE.
Before the British and other Europeans came to Nigeria, there were inter - tribal wars among the people. Many of these wars were fought because of trade, religion and the desire to acquire more lands. For example, the Fulanis, after winning the Jihad, fought with the Alafin of Oyo and his people they got more lands and forced their people to become Moslems. In Yoruba land as well as in other parts of Nigeria, there were many wars fought in defence and to acquire more land. As Nigerians defended themselves from the attack of the enemies so also did they defend themselves from the attack of wild animals they were many ways in which they made the defence.
(a) During the early days or the old stone age in Nigeria, people went from place to place there were no houses in which they could sleep. They lived in holds, caves and hurts made of tree branches and leaves they usually made fire in the night to drive away wild animals from attacking them. They also made fences round the holes, caves or hurts to protect them from the attack of wild animals.
(b) By digging trenches and gorges : when people became civilized, they lived together in villages and towns in order to protect themselves against the attack of the enemies, they dug trenches and gorges round the towns and villages so that any coming enemies would find it difficult to cross to the village or town to fight. The Yorubas are noted for this type of defence this can also be seen in some parts of Mid - western state.
(c) Living in mountain and valleys: Another method of defence made was by living in valleys or on the top of high hills. By settling in the valleys or on high hills, they could easily see any enemies coming from afar off and they would quickly plan an attack or defence, moreover if they settling on mountains, the enemies would be tired before getting to the town or village so that the enemies would make little or no attack on the people of the town.
(d) Building of thick walls: Building of thick walls was another kind of defence by the people of the past. Such walls were very thick and strong so that enemies were prevented from getting into the town or village The building of walls round villages and towns are famous among the Hausas, Fulanis, Binis and Yorubas today, some of these walls can still be seen in Kano and Benin .
(e) Armies: Another method was the use of soldiers for defence. Generally, the soldiers of each town or village were the local hunters who used guns, bows and arrows.
In Oyo kingdom, the head of the army was called the Are - Ona - Kakanfo. In addition, there were other seventy "ESOS" or Captains. These soldiers defended Oyo or Yoruba kingdom and helped Alafin to maintain peace within the area all able bodies men were expected to be soldiers during any war. Also, the Benin kingdom had its own army to defend and fight during any war. The Hausas and Fulanis had their own armies to fight for them and to defend their territories against invaders. Now a days, Nigeria is an independent country under a federal system of government, law and order as well as defence of the country are in the hands of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air - Force, Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army.
They have made the work very easy for our men unlike before now our Young able men were train to become a soldier that was why in every home in Nigeria there was always a soldier in the different home and in returns, the train their male child ahead of time on how to fight and defend their people
Thank you for your undivided attention hope this post was helpful thank you education hive community once again for this platform that has help us share what we know this has really help me because I learn everyday.. Always know this I love you all ❤️
