Don Okafor

Major Donatus Okafor (died July 1966) was a Nigerian army officer, Commander of the Federal Guards Brigade, and one of the principal plotters of the January 15, 1966 coup, an event that derailed Nigeria's nascent democracy and introduced military rule to Nigeria.

Early life Okafor was born in Kaduna and was fluent in Hausa. His father reportedly had a business in Kano and his mother was a Tiv.

Career Okafor joined the Nigerian Army as non commissioned officer (NCO) and received short service training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England in 1959.

Participation in the January 15, 1966 coup As Commander of the Federal Guards Brigade, a unit tasked with providing security to Nigeria's Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Okafor was critical to the January 15, 1966 coup conspirators considering his intimate knowledge of the Prime Minister's routine. Okafor had a personal relationship with the Prime Minister and was considered a member of Balewa's household.

Okafor was detained in Abeokuta prison by General Aguiyi-Ironsi for his role in the January 15, 1966 coup.

Death Soldiers of northern origin who mutinied during July Counter Coup broke into Abeokuta prison where Okafor was detained. He was tortured and according to some accounts was buried alive by his attackers.