The former Chief of Defence Staff to late General Sani Abacha, Lt-Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro, has died. He passed away on Wednesday night aged 80 years.
Joseph, first son of the deceased, disclosed this in Pankshin on Thursday.
“Daddy has been sick for some time until yesterday when he had a stroke and we rushed him to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention.
“Unfortunately, early this morning (Thursday), around 3.00am precisely, he breathed his last.
“His death comes as a rude shock to us as a family. We are going to miss his love and warm as a grandfather, father, brother, uncle and supporter,” he said.
Joseph said the family was trying to cope with the shock of the general’s demise, and would discuss the funeral arrangements soon.
He described his father as “a General who was so faithful and loyal to the nation, Nigeria.”
“He was a General who had no bias mind as a detribalised Nigerian. He served this nation faithful and identified with all Nigerians and Africa as a continent.
“We and Nigerians are going to miss him having served humanity in this country and Africa as a whole,” Joseph said.
According to him, the corpse of the General has since been deposited at the JUTH mortuary.
The late Dogonyaro, a soldier and an administrator, was born on September 12, 1940 in Vom, Plateau State, though a native of Taroh in Langtang North Local Government Area.
He had his early education at Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri, and thereafter in 1964, enlisted into the Nigerian Army.
He was commissioned Second-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in 1967; Officer Commanding, 1 Recce Squadron in 1967-69; Quartermaster General, I Infantry Division (Main), in 1969-70.
The late General became Chief Instructor and Adjutant, Rece Training School from 1970 to 1972; Commanding Officer, I Recce Regiment, from 1972 to 1976.
He was appointed Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Armoured Corp, 1976 to 1977; Commanding Officer, 24 Armoured Brigade, from 1977-79.
Between 1984 and 1985, he was made the Task Force Commanding Officer, 203 Armoured Battalion on the Peace-keeping Force in Chad; Director of Manning (Army), Army Headquarters, ‘A’ Branch, Director of Armoury, 1985.
He was also the General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Jos, rom 1985 to 1987; member, Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), 1985; General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanised Division, N.A, Ibadan, 1987;promoted Major-General, 1988; Promoted Lt. General; former ECOMOG Commander; and retired in 1993.
Dogonyaro attended also the National Institute for Policy and Suategic Studies, Kuru, Jos and obtained National Institute (mni) in addition to the Staff College (Psc) and Forces Service Star (FSS).
For most adult Nigerians, Dogonyaro was the officer who read the coup speech that ousted the then General Muhammadu Buhari as military ruler.
The coup brought in the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida on August 27, 1985.