he was overthrown and murdered in a military coup on january 15, 1966, as were many other leaders, including his old companion ahmadu bello. the circumstances of his death still remain unresolved. his body was discovered at a roadside near lagos six days after he was ousted from office. balewa was buried in bauchi. news of his assassination spurred violent riots throughout northern nigeria and ultimately led to the bloody counter-coup of july 1966 [4].