John Mark Inienger

John Mark Inienger (16 April 1945 – 8 February 2002) was a Nigerian Army major general who served as ECOMOG field commander in Liberia, governor of Bendel State between 1985 and 1988, during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, and commander of the Brigade of Guards.

Background Inienger was born on 16 April 1945 at Mbaduku, Vandeikya local government area of Benue State. His father was Tiv from Mbaduku, and his mother was from Bebuabung in the Cross River State town of Obudu. Inienger was educated at the Mkar Primary School from 1952-1959, Nigerian Military School, Zaria from 1960-1963; Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Lagos from 1963-1964; Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna in 1967 and the Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1974.

Military career After completing his emergency commission at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Inienger fought in the Nigerian Civil War in the 22nd Infantry Battalion from 1967-1969. Inienger then served as Battalion Commander of the 29th Infantry Battalion in 1969.

Later posts were commander of the Brigade of Guards at Nigerian Army Headquarters, Lagos (1988–1989) and ECOMOG field commander in Liberia (1993–1996). By April 1996 his troops were hard pressed to maintain control in the capital, Monrovia, against militiamen engaged in looting. Inienger returned from Liberia in 1996 and was appointed commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. He died on 8 February 2002 while travelling by car from Jos to Makurdi.