Former Chief of Defense Staff, Lt. Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro dies at 80
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A former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, is dead.
The military tactician that read the coup speech that ousted the General Muhammadu Buhari military regime, bringing in the Ibrahim Bademosi Babangida regime on August 27, 1985 died on Thursday at the age of 80 after a protracted illness.
A former Chief of Staff to the Plateau State Government, Dr. Chris Kwaja confirmed the demise on his Facebook page but did not give details.
“You were a nationalist and a soldier’s soldier”, Kwaja wrote on a post bearing the General’s picture.
Another source close to the family, Dan Kwada said “It is true. He has been sick and was to be flown abroad for treatment at some point.”
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State last September in a birthday message to the former Field Commander of ECOMOG described him as one who always demonstrated loyalty in his service to the country, saying he served his nation with courage, dignity and selflessness.
Lalong in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Simon Macham recalled the achievements of Dogonyaro during his career in the Army, where he held several command positions and accomplished his assignments with “tremendous success.”
Dogoyaro was a member of the reputed Langtang Mafia in Nigeria’s military circle. According to Wikipedia, the “Langtang Mafia” is a rumored clique of military men from Langtang, Plateau State who holds or has held positions of power in the Nigerian government. The term is often used in reference to the 1985 – 1993 Babangida junta. Purported members have included Lt Gen Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro (retired), Lt Gen Jeremiah Useni (retired), Lt Gen Domkat Bali (retired) and Brig Gen John Nanzip Shagaya (retired and presently Senator), and Lt Gen Muhammad A. Najib (retired) as well.
