By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief/Defence Correspondent) @CeleOkaf11
Former Chief of Defence Staff in the late General Sani Abacha military junta, Lieutenant General Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro, hasn't passed at 80
.
General Dogonyaro who was the coup announcer that brought former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida to power in August 1985, died from a brief illness in the early hours (3:30 am) of Thursday at the Jos University Teaching Hospital where he was admitted, according to a family source.
It was gathered that his body has been deposited at the Airforce Hospital in Jos, Plateau State.
The retired soldier and a seasoned administrator were born on September 12, 1940; at Vom, Plateau State. He attended Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, 1964-67, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Armour Officers Course, USA, Armoured Car Troop Leaders Course, UK, Command and Staff College, Jaji, Defence Resources Management Course, USA, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.
General Dogonyaro however enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1964 and was commissioned Second-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in 1967. He became the Officer Commanding, 1 Recce Squadron,, 1967-69; Quartermaster General, I Infantry Division (Main) in 1969-70; Chief Instructor and Adjutant, Rece Training School, 1970-72; Commanding Officer, I Recce Regiment, 1972-76; Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Armoured Corp, 1976-77.
Dogonyaro was also Commanding Officer, 24 Armoured Brigade, 1977-79; Task Force Commanding Officer, 203 Armoured Battalion on the Peace-keeping Force in Chad; Director of Manning (Army), Army Headquarters, ‘A’ Branch, 1984-85, and Director of Armoury, 1985; General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Jos, 1985-87.
He was also a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), 1985; General Officer Commanding 2nd Mechanised Division, Ibadan, 1987; promoted Major-General, 1988; Promoted Lt. General; former ECOMOG Commander; retired in 1993; Passed Staff College (PSC); National Institute (mni): Forces Service Star (FSS). NNL.
