SITUATION IN NIGERIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00826A001100010004-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 25, 2006
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: July 31, 1966
• Content Type: IM

100
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No. 1627/66
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
31 July 1966
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
Situation in Nigeria
(As of AM EDT)
1.
There have been no reports of bloodshed
since
0300
EDT on 30 July, and northern elements
appear
to
be in control of army units in both the
northern and western areas of the country. However,
the situation in Lagos is unclear with police and
army units probably badly split along tribal lines
and with considerable animosity known to exist be-
tween the police and army there. The cruiser Ni-
geria, with Brigadier Ogundipe and Commodore Wey
a aboard, is anchored in position to control access
to Lagos Island from the mainland by way of Carter
bridge.
2. Negotiations are continuing at Ikeja, and
the absence of shooting suggests that some meeting
of the minds may have already occurred. Northern
and western military leaders will probably try to
dictate terms to the badly divided remnants of the
Ironsi government and may fly in reinforcements from
northern Nigeria to strengthen their bargaining po-
sition. Western Yorubas who worked with Northern
politicians under the former Balewa government ap-
pear to be cooperating with northern army elements
now. General Ironsi reportedly is being held in
detention at Ibadan.
3. As a result.of the military upheaval,
hard-line Ibo easterners are being forced out of
the picture. If northerners gain control of the
national government and if their terms are too stiff
for the East to accept, there may be a move for
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secession by the East. Such an action would be ex-
tremely difficult to combat militarily from Lagos.
There have been no reports of a military or polit-
ical reaction from the East.
4. There have been no reports of danger to
American lives.
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