Rev. Animasawun Idowu, a veteran soldier and music instructor, has shared how he unknowingly avoided being caught in the January 1966 coup. He disclosed that as the instructor of the Nigerian Army Dance Band, he had no idea that a coup was about to take place. He mentioned that on the night of the coup, the band was scheduled to perform at Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari’s house, where a party was being held.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Edmund Obilo on State Affairs program, Idowu explained that after work on that Friday, he went home. Later, a soldier came to inform him that they were needed to entertain officers at the party, but he refused to go. He disclosed that Bassey, a fellow musician he had recruited, was also asked to go but refused. He said the music band that played at the party performed badly and Brigadier Maimalari told the band to pack up and leave. Shortly after they left, the coup plotters arrived and killed Maimalari.
Idowu said that the next day, Amadi, the band leader, jokingly accused him of knowing something bad would happen, which was why he didn’t attend the party. He disclosed that Amadi told him, “Yoruba boy, juju, you knew something would happen.” He mentioned that Amadi, who was a corporal, was later killed during the July counter-coup. He expressed sadness over losing many friends during that period.
