Assassination of General Murtala Muhammad

ON THIS DAY

13 February 1976

Assassination of General Murtala Muhammad.

          Murtala Muhammad was one of the greatest and most popular people in Nigeria. He was born in 1938, joined the military in 1958, and was a major figure during the Nigerian civil war. During the war, he commanded the second infantry division of the Nigerian Army which saw many action during the war. After the war, he was promoted to brigadier general in 1971. On 7 August 1974 he was appointed as the Minister of Communication by Yakubu Gowon.

          On 29 July 1975, he lead the third coup attempt in Nigeria's history against Yakubu Gowon and was successful. The coup was different from other coup because it was bloodless. (He actually led the second coup and that one was the bloodiest coup in Nigeria history which started the Nigerian civil war).

          His regime was as strict like most military regime and the present civilian rule in Nigeria. Even though he spent less than 7 months in government, over 10 thousands civil servants were sacked during his regime. He also created 6 more state which includes Bauchi, Benue, Imo, Borno, Niger, Ogun and Ondo making the total number of states then to be seventeen. He was also the one who created the decree that the capital city should be moved to Abuja from Lagos (he didn't live to see this though). 

          On 13 February 1976, while going to office on his usual route which is known as George street in Ikoyi, Lagos, his Mercedes Benz was ambushed by a group of Soldiers. Murtala Muhammad was killed in the attack with his aide-de-camp Akintunde Akinsehinwa.

           His assassination was part of an attempted coup by Lt.Col Buka Suka Dimka. This coup eventually failed even though Murtala who is the head of state is dead. Buka Dimka was later caught and was executed 15 May 1976. 

          If you are wondering why he doesn't have lots of bodyguards when he was assassinated, that's because he doesn't like getting attention when going on the road like most politicians do nowadays which makes it quite easy to assassinate him.

          Murtala was succeeded by General Olusegun Obasanjo.

          The first picture is the photograph of Murtala, the second is his face on the #20 note and the third is the Mercedes Benz in which he was killed which is presently in the Nation Museum in Lagos. 

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