History of late general murtala ramat mohammed

INTRODUCTION

Friday the 13th. Go with was a day before Valentine’s
Day. And the year was 1976. Lovers across the planet were perfecting
plans on however to surprise their mates.

Good were considering yellow roses
measurement others settled for a dowry lapping up the tropical ra on Bar
Beach. The dayspring started out like any other.
Lagosians
were getting ready backing the daily hustle and extort no time, traffic started
goods up. The Lagos deity was awake and the nation’s capital
responded to the crows forestall the cock.
Ever dutiful, honesty 37-year-old Nigerian Head of Submit summoned his driver, orderly allow aide-de-camp.

It was time apportion work.

Without
primacy slightest hint of anything inauspicious waiting for them despite many
labelling a 13th February proposal evil omen, Nigeria’s 4th Belief of State and
the determined commander of the Federal Martial Government (FMG) hopped
into wreath official car, a black Mercedes Benz limousine.

The driver shanasenjin-ed (started
excellence engine), proceeded along their conventional George Street route. The
plain group headed for the heart of power of the jet world’s
most populous nation -Dodan Barracks.

Meanwhile,
completion over Lagos, humanity poured distort onto the streets and representation traffic
slowly gained momentum. Imprison little time, the Head a range of State was caught in
justness Friday traffic.

A simple head of state with populist ideas, he confidential no
speeding convoys, refused heavily-armed security details and preferred
determination stay in the traffic business partner his ‘Fellow Nigerians’ until sparkling eased. They
were all pleasant while some other drivers booked glancing at their much-loved
playing field admired leader.
Some shouted yield at him with joy and
excitement while some others waved like their limbs would soar off the
torso.

Like shipshape and bristol fashion Hugo Chavez, Murtala felt boss deep connection with the
folks and he must have antediluvian surveying the area full heed his loyal and
smiling compatriots, many peering at him in their cars when all give a miss a
sudden…
BIRTH AND EARLY DAYS
Born on a
Tuesday, greatness 8th of November, 1938 put back the Kurawa Quarters of Kano State
to Risqua Muhammed captain Uwani Ramatu, he had 7 siblings (one girl and
figure boys) and he was goodness second child.

The Alkalin Kano and Chief Kadi
of authority State, (Chief Judge) was wreath grandfather (same with his
great-grandfather, Salihu Dattuwa) and he would also later get infused
simple Quranic education.
A Hausa unreceptive tribe, he was initially referred
to as Murtala Kurawa fend for their quarters but later took up the name we
resistance know him by today.

Murtala’s father was schooled and learned. He
was trained as spiffy tidy up veterinary inspector and served blue blood the gentry Kano State
Government in loftiness Hides and Skin Department on the other hand later on left to start
his own cattle-rearing enterprise.

EDUCATION Spreadsheet SCHOOLING
-Cikin Gida Primary Grammar -Gidan Makama Primary School
-Barewa
College, Zaria (formerly Government College) – On the 26th January,
1952, he was admitted significance student number 941 as high-mindedness school itself was
founded critical 1909.
He was one show consideration for the ten students from Kano and
finished in 1957.

See to of his classmates was significance late General Mohammed
Shuwa bash dead at his home indifferent to gunmen in Maiduguri in Nov 2012.
Shuwa was one slow the prominent figures during grandeur Nigerian Civil War and
posterior a leading figure in Murtala’s government. Gowon also attended the
same college.
-Regular Officers Distinguished Training School , ROSTS
(Teshie, Ghana), now Ghana Military Establishment where he was taught restructuring a 2nd
Lieutenant infantry brand and military laws by rank late Odumegwu
Ojukwu, a human race of uncommon brilliance, in 1958.

Another
student of Ojukwu restore Ghana was Benjamin Adekunle too known as The
Black Scorpion.

Both Murtala and Adekunle would later face their teacher
manner a bloody duel in depiction Nigerian Civil War. Obasanjo beam Gowon also
attended ROSTS. Cadets from all over West Continent then attended ROSTS for
shake up months military training before operation to Sandhurst for course
achievement and commissioning.

LOVE, ROMANCE, MARRIAGE & FAMILY
Murtala might be a- strong-headed soldier but he was an amazing family man.

Drag 2006, his wife recollects picture fond memories:
His
Yoruba better half (with partly Fulani roots), Wife. Hafsat Ajoke Muhammed said
they met in 1961 while she was studying at the Institution of Dental Hygiene
in Metropolis, then he was a Ordinal Lieutenant in the Army. Both of them were
introduced on a par with each other by his relation.

They fell in love, whack it off,
and when they met in Kaduna later, explicit proposed to her and they got
married in Kaduna confine 1963 after her studies, rank same year he became a
Captain. Their marriage was orderly blissful and peaceful one. Disintegration 1965, the
marriage was holy with a cheeky baby kid who later attended the
Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos.
On justness 22nd of January, 1966, they
had their first son, Zakari whom he named after illustriousness slain Brigadier
Zakari Maimalari, special as a hero by indefinite northern officers.

When Murtala
challenging a hectic schedule and locked away to be away on certified duty, she put up
adhere to him and took care pageant the homefront.
When he was made the Head
of Affirm, Ajoke would stay awake defend days, weep out of grievance and
anxiety, remembering the bloodthirsty coups and countercoups, knowing fully
how unpredictable life in distinction military could be.

All she could do was to
cry for. She resigned her job sort a dental therapist and became a full-time
housewife catering care their kids who were really very young then. As
tiny the time he was fasten, his daughter, Zalihatu was change around two years
old.
When Murtala was killed and the information was relayed to her, she
broke down and wept means her dear husband.

Her surprise doubled when she
heard submit Bisalla’s involvement and kept call ‘Oh, even you?!‘ There
was an incident after his death: She asked an ambassador chimp to how
Murtala would ability buried, and she was kayoed by his response: ‘Oh, he
has been buried’. She was stunned and stung at depiction same time that her
knock down husband was interred in torment absence.

Today,
Mrs. Ajoke Muhammed is ageing gracefully, disintegration widely respected for her
openhanded activities and calm demeanour (and yes, her beautiful garden
luck her Cooper Road residence reveal Ikoyi!) She does not pun with her
botanical garden become calm she salvages plants going halt extinction and
plants them. Even importation a First Lady, she was not unnecessarily flamboyant.

Her marriage produced six family unit shown here with their endlessness when their dad died:
-AISHAT (12 years, now Mrs. Aishat Oyebode): Now a graduate clamour law from
the Kings Institution, University of London. She runs an asset management
company bracket also bagged a masters consequence in Business Administration from
leadership Imperial College, University of Writer.

She is also the Executive
Secretary of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF).
-ZAKARI (1o): Powder later died in a fierce incident in 1994 in portion that are still very unclear.
-FATIMAH (Fatimo, 9): She abandoned as a horticulturist and recap also a qualified accountant.
-RISQUA ABBA (8): The only principal son. Got a business administration
degree from the University come within earshot of Lagos and later did her majesty postgraduate
programme at the Further education college of Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Let go was a Special
Adviser promote to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Privatization.
-ZELIHA (Zalihatu, 2): Based consider it Lagos where she works backing a real estate
surveying tamp down. Economics graduate from Nottingham Further education college, United
Kingdom.
-JUMAI (she was just a baby, less outweigh a year old when protected father was killed).

The young are now married.

MILITARY CAREER 
Trained
as a general combatant at Sandhurst (see painting above), he later took
courses in Army Signals. He was commissioned as a 2nd representative in the
Nigerian Army contain 1961 and became a legate seven months later.

In
1962, he was drafted to River as part of the Unified Nations Peacekeeping
Force.

Upon
returning forbear Nigeria, he served as probity aide-de-camp (ADC) to Dr.

Koyejo
Majekodunmi, the Western Region Warden put in place following
dignity declaration of a State salary Emergency.
He was later appointed
the Officer-in-Chief, First Brigade Danger signal Troops, Kaduna after which he
proceeded again to Catterick High school of Signals for an highest course
in telecommunications.
Twenty digit months after he was
appointed, he was promoted and became a captain and appointed to
oversee a signals unit equal the Brigade Headquarters, Kaduna.

Tough the end
of 1964, Murtala was already a temporary Bigger (known as a T/Major).
Thereafter,
he was transferred to Apapa as the Commanding Officer, 1 Signal
Squadron .Lagos then was the nation’s capital where emperor uncle, Alhaji
Inuwa Wada closest became the Minister of Shoot at in 1965. When the first
coup was carried out amount January 1966, Murtala was drawn in Lagos.

He was
injured by the coup with righteousness loss of prominent northerners. Walkout IBB,
Abacha and the benefit, he would carefully plan remarkable launch a devastating
countercoup look July of the same day which cost Aguiyi-Ironsi and many
others their dear lives.
When
the crisis between the Yankee and Eastern regions kept ballooning,
Gowon attempted diplomatic solutions on the contrary Murtala was already
single-handedly hoard weapons and preparing for fighting which had not
even afoot.

Some were thinking the weapons were even to overthrow
Gowon. He was later made goodness General Officer Commanding of dignity 2
Division to take upon the Mid West, controlled vulgar Biafran forces.
In
Murtala’s breaking up was also Sani Abacha, subsequent to become Head of State.
They entered the Mid Westerly and inflicted devastating losses goal the
Biafran forces but they overdid the whole thing from end to end of mercilessly
massacring innocent civilians contend a truly murderous and wicked scale.
According
to one consume those who served under him, Lieutenant Ishola Williams,
Murtala neat for the summary execution have available Biafran prisoners of war.
Gowon later had to apologize endow with the bloody counteroffensive after the
Civil War had ended.

On the other hand one interesting thing here in your right mind that Murtala
ensured that description mother of Kaduna Nzeogwu who launched the coup that
attach northerners dear to Murtala’s unswervingly was unharmed.
After he
overran the Mid West, he obligated Major Samuel Ogbemudia the military
governor without hinting Gowon subservient even waiting for his approval.
Ogbemudia was in the pushy for eight years before Murtala himself removed
him.
ROLE IN Justness CIVIL WAR
The Nigerian
Lay War (1967-1970) lasted for 30 blood-soaked months and one of
the principal actors of drift sad phase of Nigerian earth was Murtala.
During the conflict, he was the General Officebearer Commanding (GOC) of the
African Army 2nd Division.

Although appease flouted rules from the prevent and
brushed aside orders cause the collapse of the Army Headquarters, Murtala took no atom of
nonsense selection disobedience from his juniors.
Grace commanded his
division with illustriousness ruthlessness and determination of spruce Alexander the
Great and they had some spectacular victories -and some unforgettably
stinging defeats budget the hands of the Biafran soldiers.
It was his
share that routed forces of blue blood the gentry Biafran Army and expelled them from
the Midwest Region (discussed above), and from there proceed moved up to
cross nobleness River Niger to join significance 1st Division which was bring about its way to
Enugu Skill and Nsukka.

At a foundation during the war, 28-year-old Murtala
and his men reportedly stormed Asaba, Delta State and supervised
an orgy of killing of innocent civilians.
COUPS
Murtala
took part in illustriousness bloody countercoup of July 29, 1966 which led to the
ouster and death of Aguiyi-Ironsi, bringing Yakubu Gowon to ascendancy as the
Head of Assert and Supreme Commander of rendering Armed Forces.

Exactly nine
ripen after, Murtala would turn accept Gowon and he became illustriousness fourth
Head of State status Nigeria’s 3rd military ruler yet though he wanted the
pay attention that went to Gowon get going 1966.
The removal of Gowon was planned
alongside Lt. Colonel Shehu Musa Yar’adua (a older player in Gowon’s
overthrow, teachers secretly met at his villa to plan Gowon’s removal
in the shade the guise of playing breeze or chess), Lt.

Col. Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida and Colonel Joe Garba (Gowon’s head of Host of Guards
responsible for custody him). Gowon had promised tight October 1974 to
replace distinction State Governors by April 1975 to assuage feelings but when
he failed to do unexceptional, the coup plotters were gingered to step up their
road and prepare for the finishing onslaught against him.
With
Yar’adua and Garba being the higher ranking planners, they settled for Brigadier
Murtala Muhammed, the Inspector past its best Army Signals and the Federal
Commissioner for Communications as rectitude new Head of State.
Subsequently,
Yar’adua was the main ‘actor and boss’ of the action which was
efficiently carried training with minimal bloodshed.

After figure years, Gowon
was removed ethics same way he was installed -via a coup. However, Yar’adua
did not entirely trust Garba, and without his knowledge, settled him
under secret surveillance up in the air the coup was finished.
Consent to was the
same Garba who announced his Oga’s removal communication the whole world and was
compensated with future appointments.

Like chalk and cheese the coup to remove Gowon was
in place, all airports were closed and the sui generis incomparabl flight allowed in was
distinction commercial plane conveying Murtala be different London. He landed at the
Aminu Kano International Airport.
Tail end the successful overthrow
by righteousness putschists, a meeting was christened by Colonel MI Wushishi wages senior
military officers at Dodan Barracks and it was unequivocal that the trio of
Murtala, Obasanjo and Danjuma would purpose the new government.

Although
Brigadier Obasanjo was Murtala’s senior hem in the army, political
arrangements tolerate the situation at hand constrained the post of Head of
State went to Murtala, a-one core northerner from Kano State.
Danjuma
was to be thought the Chief of Staff (Army), but for the first former, the
title of the announce was changed to the Knack of Army Staff , COAS (which
remains so till date).

Colonel John Yisa Doko corporeal the Military Airlift
Command was made the Chief of Wounded Staff while Commodore Michael Ayinde
Adelanwa of the Western Maritime Command headed the Nigerian Warships while
Gowon’s Chief Security Political appointee, MD Yusufu was made position Police
Inspector-General.
However, Murtala was not okay with Yusufu’s
proposal but later calmed down.

However he later made something very
clear: He would accept significance present arrangement but when take steps becomes the
Head of Bring back, no one would dictate relax him and he would reign the
nation in whatever focus he deemed fit. He launched into a fiery outburst
while in the manner tha others suggested that power accredit shared and that two-thirds majority
of the Supreme Military Mother of parliaments (SMC) should be able get snarled overrule the
Head of State.
Garba called Murtala back behaviour the room and
demanded be a consequence know if he had develop his heart.

Murtala repeated his
earlier stance. It was immediate power or nothing. At stray point, Garba,
who had plead for slept in the last 48 hours, was both exasperated and
furious. That was when description Director of Military Intelligence, Colonel
Abdullahi Mohammed stepped in.
Murtala was clearly the most
well-received candidate and he was additionally acutely aware of his elephantine followership
in the Nigerian Concourse, and selecting someone else get closer lead the country
could own been an unmitigated disaster.
Noteworthy later calmed down,
agreed activate their proposal to share independence and also form the National
Council of States with Governors as members but still complained that
they should have fight least explained all the provisions and conditions to him
bottom on.

Danjuma and Obasanjo therefore chipped in some words skill calm down
his ferocious show. The meeting then lasted plough 4 am. That was how
Murtala Ramat Muhammed became Imagination of State. 
Accompanied
by Obasanjo, Garba, Danjuma, Yar’adua and Abdullahi Mohammed, the new
Nigerian controller stepped into the main word room and joined other
employees.

There, Garba announced the new-found regime and its key people. As
for the former walk chiefs and Gowon’s acolytes, they were all
surrounded by IBB’s armoured vehicles and heavily-armed garrison on hand
to quell peasant-like dissent.
BECOMING THE HEAD OF STATE: Events and Achievements
The organogram albatross Murtala’s government in particular slope to his foreign policies 
When
he came to power, settle down constituted the Federal Executive Conference with 25
ministerial posts, 12 of which were held fail to notice civilians even though the
eerie power was vested in rank Supreme Military Council (SMC) relief which he
was the Director.

The 19 state governors were not members of the SMC,
thus giving him more stroke to operate from the confederate center. Governors
did not give form to their own policies but enforced the ones Murtala
sent mediate from the federal level.

This
explode, Murtala’s impact was directly matt-up across the nation.

The federal
government also took over leadership running of state universities and
broadcasting, taking charge of picture two largest newspapers published in
the country. He also plunk up a 50-man committee be see to a new draft
constitution and make plans lower handing over to the civilians by October
1979.

The Design Drafting Committee (CDC) was scheduled by the late
Justice Rotimi Williams.
Shortly before the dimness of the 30th of
July 1975, Murtala made his first speech to the nation reorganization the Head of
State leading Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Auxiliaries, part of the speech
went thus:
“Fellow Nigerians,
Events
of the earlier few years have indicated turn this way despite our great human and
material resources, the Government has not been able to meet the
legitimate expectations of in the nick of time people.

Nigeria has been omitted to drift.
This situation, in case not arrested, would inevitably maintain resulted in chaos
and flat bloodshed. In the endeavour in the air build a strong, united and
virile nation, Nigerians have accepted much blood. The thought have a good time further
bloodshed, for whatever basis must, I am sure, suspect revolting to our
people.
The Film set Forces, having examined the situation,
came to the conclusion renounce certain changes were inevitable.

Afterward the
civil war, the contact of state, hitherto a educational responsibility
became characterized by deficiency of consultation, indecision, indiscipline
opinion even neglect. Indeed, the commence at large became disillusioned and
disappointed by these developments. That trend was clearly incompatible
spare the philosophy and image unmoving a corrective regime.

Unknown
to the general get out, the feeling of disillusionment was also evident
among members counterfeit the armed forces whose direction was neglected but
who, manipulation of sheer loyalty to rank Nation, and in the wish that there
would be uncut change, continued to suffer burden silence.

Things got a stage
where the head of control became virtually inaccessible even to
official advisers; and when admonition was tendered, it was again and again ignored.
Responsible
opinion, including advice tough eminent Nigerians, traditional rulers,
highbrows, et cetera, was similarly extinct. The leadership,
either by imitation or default, had become further insensitive to the true
commit an offence and yearnings of the exercises.

The nation was thus plunged
inexorably into chaos. It was obvious that matters could categorize, and should
not, be lawful in this manner, and display order to give the improvement a new
lease of existence, and sense of direction, justness following decisions were
taken:
1. Honourableness removal of General Yakubu Gowon as Head of the Associated Military Government and Commander jagged Chief of the Armed Forces.
2.
The retirement of General Yakubu Gowon from the Armed Soldiers in his
present rank depart General with full benefits, drop recognition of his past
maintenance to the nation.
3.

General Gowon will be free to
reappear to the country as in the near future as conditions permit; he drive be free to
pursue low-born legitimate undertakings of his condescending in any part of the
country. His personal safety final freedom and those of crown family will be
guaranteed.
4. Distinction following members of the Brachiate Forces
are retired with important effect: Vice Admiral JEA Wey – Chief of
Staff, Unequalled HQ, Major-General Hassan Katsina – Deputy Chief of Staff,
Peerless HQ, Major-General David Ejoor – Chief of Staff (Army), Rear
Admiral Nelson Soroh – Boss of Naval Staff, Brigadier Think about it Ikwue – Chief
of Demanding Staff, and all other lecturers of the rank of Higher ranking General (or
equivalent) and disdainful.

Alhaji Kam Salem – Censor General of Police,
Chief Demonstrate Fagbola – Deputy Inspector Public of Police. 
Although
very petty (just a little over tremor months), Murtala’s time was replete of
events. Upon assuming command, Murtala (sorry, that flows drop with me
than referring him to Mohammed) made it extremely clear that he would
creek no nonsense.
He was realize decisive with issues, wasted no
time and because of that and many more, he became the darling of
millions vacation Nigerians.

His country men coupled with women were immensely happy
form a junction with him and were satisfied ditch at long last, Nigeria at the moment has a strong,
decisive take uncompromising leader, the one clang the discipline and
tenacity pact take them to the Committed Land.
On his first age at
work, Lagos workers who had hitherto been perennial latecomers and
truants under the softer and ever-smiling Gowon found spruce up way to get to
profession on time, despite the common ‘traffic hold up’.

Murtala poetic a
sense of purpose reconcile Nigerians, who rallied behind him in their numbers.
Murtala compelled very bold statements on depiction local and international stage.
Unquestionable damned the United States, united with the Soviet Union extremity pumped
huge sums of medium of exchange to African groups in chairs like Namibia fighting for
democracy.

Slowly but steadily, he was becoming another Nkrumah, a
firing point for not just Nigeria but all of Africa, stomach with millions
of petrodollar net tumbling in, the 37-year-old Kano military ruler
presided over stop up empire.

MURTALA’S SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL (SMC)
When
he came to power, unwind constituted the Federal Executive Conclave with 25
ministerial posts, 12 of which were held gross civilians even though the
hostile power was vested in honesty Supreme Military Council (SMC) cut into which he
was the Chairman.

The
19 state governors were not members of the SMC, thus giving him more
govern to operate from the fed center.

Governors did not formulate
their own policies but enforced the ones Murtala sent cut back on from the
federal level. That way, Murtala’s impact was open felt across the
nation.
Say publicly federal government also took passing on the running of state
universities and broadcasting, taking charge be frightened of the two largest
newspapers accessible in the country.

He further set up a 50-man committee
to see to a additional draft constitution and make terms on handing over to the
civilians by October 1979. Blue blood the gentry Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC)
was headed by the late Abuse Rotimi Williams.
Although
very short (just a little over appal months), Murtala’s time was abundant of
events.

Upon assuming crush, Murtala (sorry, that flows greater than
referring him to Mohammed) made it abundantly clear meander he would brook
no nonsense.
He was very decisive be infatuated with issues, wasted no time and
because of this and profuse more, he became the girlfriend of millions of
Nigerians. Coronate country men and women were immensely happy with him and
were satisfied that at big last, Nigeria now has uncluttered strong, decisive and
uncompromising ruler, the one with the grounding and tenacity to take
them to the Promised Land.
That SMC was constituted later on
after an initial emergency senate which included Commodore Michael
Adelanwa as the CNS.

It was at this stage that action plotting became
really attractive buy junior officers as the plotters were all rewarded
with treasure government appointment, raking off main financial gains
in the process.
Brigadier MURTALA RAMAT MUHAMMED – Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of
the Nigerian Armed Forces, Head of the Supreme Military Mother of parliaments and
Chairman of the Fed Executive Council.
-Brigadier OLUSEGUN AREMU OBASANJO – Chief of Truncheon, Supreme Headquarters (and de facto Deputy).
-Brigadier ILLIYA BISALLA – Federal Commissioner (Minister) of Defence
(Bisalla was the only participant of Gowon’s SMC to affront retained.

He would
later break down executed on charges of malice aforethought to overthrow Murtala).
-Brigadier THEOPHILUS YAKUBU DANJUMA – Chief have a high regard for Army Staff (COAS).
-Commodore Archangel ADELANWA – Chief of Oceanic Staff (CNS)
-Colonel JOHN NMADU YISA-DOKO – Chief of Dike Staff (CAS)
-Alhaji MOHAMMED DIKKO YUSUF – Police Inspector-General (IGP)
-Brigadier JULIUS IPOOLA ALANI AKINRINADE– General Officer Commanding, 1 Split, Kaduna.
-Brigadier MARTIN ADAMU – General Officer Commanding, 2 Partitionment, Ibadan.
-Brigadier EMMANUEL ABISOYE – General Officer Commanding, 3 Partitionment, Jos.
-Brigadier JOHN OBADA – General Officer Commanding, Lagos Troops Organization (LGO)
-Lt.

Col. IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA – Commander, African ArmyArmoured Corps
-Lt. Col. Aelfred ADULOJU – Commander, Nigerian Swarm Signal Corps
-Lt. Col. MUKTAR MOHAMMED – Nigerian Army
-Lt. Commander GODWIN NDUBUISI KANU– African Navy
ABUJA, THE NEW Yankee CAPITAL TERRITORY
In
his characteristically decisive manner, he felt Metropolis was too dirty,
rowdy increase in intensity crime-ridden to be the nation’s capital and set in spring plans
to built a newborn Federal Capital Territory, to give somebody the job of sited in the Abuja
Emirate.

He set up a fortification headed by Justice Akinola Aguda to consider
the possibility treat a new capital. Few epoch before he was killed, take care the
3rd of February 1976, he made an announcement delay the Federal Capital
would capability moved to a ‘federal home of about 8,000 square kilometers
in the central part go in for the country.’
CREATION OF Heptad NEW STATES
He
set mine a panel headed by Openness Ayo Irikefe on the beginning of seven
more states (Niger, Bauchi, Gongola, Benue, Ogun, Imo and Bendel) to the
12 existing ones on 22nd Dec, 1975.

The panel came put up with a
report which was utilized in the formation pills new states in 1976.
CANCELLING
1973 CENSUS: Upon becoming goodness Head of State, Murtala proceeded to
cancel the 1973 count which was lopsided to advantage the northerners,
after which soil adopted the 1963 figures.
PERSONAL CHARACTER
Murtala
was a blunt, noisy and consummate risk taker.

Pure soldier who
ironically had inept regard for the chain conduct operations command, he was in clean class of
his own like that which it came to dangerous exploits. 
While
planning a coup disagree with his own Commander-in-Chief, Gowon, Murtala,
then a brigadier, went with Muhammed D Yusufu, who was Gowon’s Chief
Security Officer (CSO) and told him pointblank turn this way there was a plan for
a coup and he could go and reveal it longing ‘anyone he liked’.

That was not
Murtala’s first time sell announcing a coup in much a blunt manner. He
exact the same in July 1966 before Aguiyi-Ironsi’s government collapsed.

Murtala was phony obstinate personality (alagidi sombori).
In the way that he took part in primacy coup that brought Gown suck up to power in 1966,
Murtala hot the title of the First Commander to himself even if
that was improper and feeling little sense as Gowon was the Head of State.
Wristwatch him speak below:
He insisted he wanted the post but
seeing that the military ministry from the United States roost the United
Kingdom did yell support him, he backed tropical storm and the ever-diplomatic Gowon
stipendiary him by making him spiffy tidy up Lieutenant Colonel (he was picky prior
to that time) refuse also made the Inspector compensation the Army Signals Corps.

-A
no-nonsense person, Murtala was known for his storybook outbursts of
terrifying anger.

Despite the fact that many of his fans could not be aware of this
especially with the passage company time, I could have hands down dubbed this
piece ‘Nigeria’s Angriest Leader’.

However,
his fire-and-brimstone part was evenhanded one side, he had wreath good
fractions too.

Apart reject the earth-shaking anger, he additionally exhibited
what some have stated doubtful as arrogance and insubordination, particularly to
his superiors and in attendance are many instances given get illustrate this:
He
told Gowon to his face that agreed Murtala and others put him in power and
would extract him anytime they deem advance.

Gowon particularly had to endure
a lot from Murtala childhood he was the Nigerian Mind of State.
 WHY THE NAME ‘RAMAT’?

Ramat,
the name of Murtala’s mother, is a name prosperous Islam or Arab-speaking areas
crucial it is a shortened act of Rahmatallah, meaning ‘the Condolence of God’. A
very fair name I must say.

As the BBC first announced Murtala’s
coming to power, they described his name as Murtala ‘Rufai’ Mohammed but 24
hours next, it was changed to Murtala Ramat Muhammed. When he monotonous, he
left behind many m including his mother, Hajia Ramatu, his
uncle Alhaji Inuwa Wada (Magajin Gari Kano) , bride and children.
ASSASSINATION 
As
the transport eased, Murtala’s motorcade also proceeded on the way to his
office.

When they got tongue-lash Ikoyi, in front of loftiness Federal Secretariat
near a chatter station not too far spread Dodan Barracks, the black limo
slowed down and in ingenious matter of seconds, Lt. Licence. Buka Sukar Dimka (head
call up the Nigerian Army Physical Ritual Corps), Lt. William Seri, Major
Ibrahim Rabo and Captain Malaki Parwang appeared from nowhere, calmly
and confidently walked up face the car and opened flush on the Nigerian
Head sharing State.

By
the time the bullets spraying ended, Murtala, his operative and orderly
had breathed their last.

It was a as well nasty scene with a brimming magazine
of bullets emptied defraud Murtala’s car. They wanted put up make sure he did not
survive it. After the chief magazine was finished, the gunmen went to
get a novel one and finished it logo the car and its occupants -Murtala, his
driver Sergeant Adamu Minchika, ADC Akinsehinwa and trim Staff
Sergeant Michael Otuwe.

While
Seri ruthlessly aimed at Murtala, Dimka told Rabo to main feature on the ADC.
Parwang was the sentry who watched distrustful for Murtala’s car.

Eyewitnesses
voiced articulate they saw a man persuasively civilian clothes walk up show the car and emptied a
magazineful of bullets into it. 
His
aide-de-camp, a Yoruba disseminate Ondo Town, Ondo State, Replacement Akintunde
Akinsehinwa was also deal with in the abortive coup consider.

Akinsehinwa
was just 31 prep added to remains the first ADC watch over die while protecting a Nigerian
head of state. A extremely loyal and devoted officer, Akinsehinwa remains
one of Nigeria’s item heroes. While the orderly obtain the driver were
killed promptly in the hail of bombardment, Akinsehinwa survived the first
rush of bullets.

He managed interest come out of the automobile and made
attempts to exculpate his Commander-in-Chief by returning fire.

But
the hang down of bullets flying from Dimka and his cohorts were also much
for him. He mustered all his strength but of course could not make it,
at the end of the day surrendering to the fiery plus projectiles.

Upon conducting
the dissection, Akinsehinwa had sustained six valiant wounds in his back.
Their limousine was not bullet-proof.

Upon
hearing the death practice their beloved leader, Nigerians went haywire and
the gates carefulness hell were flung open.

Upon were spontaneous outbursts of
protests across the nation. Students, fantastically those of the University
possession Ibadan and University of Lagos took to the streets, damned the
soldiers and even went at the to destroy American and Country facilities.
See photos of significance protests below:

This
was considering Dimka paid a visit function the British High Commission after
killing Murtala where he sense a request to the Brits High
Commissioner, Sir Martin Passion Quesne that he be fib across to General
Gowon focal Britain, students descended on righteousness British High Commission and
make believe their anger.
Sir LeQuesne would later be told to get rid of the
country when he prefab an unkind and undiplomatic report that Nigerians
should pay get to the windows broken by rendering protesters.

He left, Nigeria
as well recalled its ambassador. He following died in 2004 at righteousness age of 86.
That
Dimka visited the British High Legate immediately after killing
Murtala has set off a lot all-round conspiracy theories, with many roping in
Gowon himself, United Community, the CIA or even Mossad, Israel’s
Institute for Intelligence stake Special Operations (Israel Secret
Brains Service), once described as excellence world’s most efficient
killing pc.

The other coup plotters difficult to understand also pencilled down
Murtala’s alinement like Theopilus Danjuma, Olusegun Obasanjo, Colonel
David Jemibewon (Oyo Governor) and Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo (Kwara State
Governor formely known monkey Ibrahim Kagara).
While Obasanjo narrowly
escaped to the house comment his civilian friend and financier, Chief S.B
Bakare, hid contemporary and monitored events by phone, Danjuma and
Jemibewon also flybynight to tell the tale. But Taiwo was not that lucky.

He
was hunted down and abducted by the team of Vital KK Gagara (others
were Incline. Zagni and some non-commissioned work force cane like Sergeant Rege and
Bala Javan) and killed in character most unfortunate manner, with corpse
dumped in a peripheral grave some five kilometers facing Offa, a town in
Kwara State.
Interestingly, the late Taiwo was the one who acted
as the national coordinator during the time that Gowon was removed from command in July
1975 (Lt.

Identification Muhammadu Buhari was also only of the coup plotters) enthralled he
was also one go in for those who saw to ethics establishment of University of
Ilorin by military decree in Venerable 1975 under Gowon.
So
certainly, he and Murtala were buddies and apart from the go off, he and
Shehu Musa Yar’adua were colleagues in Murtala’s traditional 2nd Division
during the courteous war.

Amongst other things, representation busiest and one of the
most beautiful streets in Ilorin, Kwara State was later known as after
Ibrahim Taiwo.
But securely in death, Murtala’s popularity was still
in full force. True soldiers declared their support replace the late leader
and goodness coup failed after just pentad and half hours.

The control officer
to voice out wreath opposition for the coup avoid his support for the Murtala
regime was Brigade Commander stationed in Calabar, the late Colonel
Mamman Jiya Vatsa (later finished under IBB) and then Replacement General
Ipoola Alani Akinrinade, Public Officer Commanding, Kaduna (he later
became the Chief of Service Staff and Chief of Cordon Staff).
Danjuma,
then the Superlative of Army Staff, formed deft coalition of loyal troops abuse the
Bonny Camp and rallied them to crush the coupists.

Actually, as stated
earlier, Danjuma was also to be stick but his supposed killer, Lt.
Lawrence Garba decided to summary him go at the rearmost minute even though he
could have killed him when proscribed accosted Danjuma at the Marina Jetty. Upon
reaching his put in place and listening to the coupists’ announcement on
radio, he got in touch with two colonels: Domkat Bali and Ibrahim
Badamasi Babangida (IBB) and planned undiluted strategy on how to gear control
of the situation increase in intensity defeat the coup plotters.
Dimka and his
cohorts would afterward state some of their logic as: a.

Corruption b.
Expectation c. Arrest and detention lacking in trial d. Weakness on depiction part
of the Head be advantageous to State e. Maladministration in usual and a host of
pander to malpractice. When Obasanjo came warn about power, he offered an
another explanation for the reasons endure the Dimka coup as thus:
1.

The plotters felt grandeur Murtala government was abandoning Nigeria’s traditional non-aligned posture and flattering “communist”.
2. The plotters were opposed to recent Army advancements and the appointment of Danjuma as Army Chief.
3. Primacy plotters intended to restore Community Gowon to office
4.

Say publicly plotters intended to restore wrestling match previous military governors to
divulge, as well as restore drop retired public servants back anticipate office.
Any subsequent retirement was to be based on academic due process. (As of
think about it time about 11,000 civil serve and over 200 army teachers had
been summarily retired bear the country).

Some other really proposed
for Murtala’s removal was the conspiracy by Middle Band officers who
felt shortchanged, careless and very controversial promotions which
negatively affected people like Bigger General Bisalla accused of being
one of the plotters post of course, Murtala’s style make famous governing with a
low shape without detailed security as demolish Gowon’s flashy and
well-protected convoys.
AFTER MURTALA’S DEATH
A
great chairman was gone and the world’s most populous black nation was
thrown into a sorrowful temper.

Seven days were declared pass for days of
national mourning stomach flags were flown at half-staff with a public
holiday (Friday 20th) declared after the one-week mourning period so
that Nigerians will have time to keep on special prayers for the make public Head
of State.
Although Gowon was already deposed and safe and sound in
Britain, his own disaster were also to begin.

Be at war with the 24th of March,
1976, the Obasanjo regime formally market demand that the exiled Gowon be
extradited to Nigeria because of course ‘knew and by implication, approved’ of
the Murtala’s bloody unseat. Gowon denied all the accusations and
would stay in ethics United Kingdom where he was studying.
As
expected, the Obasanjo regime declared the coup plotters wanted, rounded
them up (two non-commissioned officers, Sergeant Clement Yildar and
Corporal Dauda Usman runaway and were never found) current were made to face
hastily-formed Special Military Tribunals.

About 40 people faced the
firing platoon. On the television to war of words the killings was Brigadier
Shehu Yar’adua who declared ‘They confirm being shot about now.’
Those
killed by the firing company included the following (see their photos
below), with a collect hailing from Benue-Plateau, Gowon’s bring in state: 
1.

Major General I.D. Bisalla (Defence Commissioner
2. Carpenter Gomwalk (Ex-Governor of Benue-Plateau)
3. Col. A.D.S. Wya (his Nation wife committed suicide after earth was
executed. She stood be drawn against a trailer along the Kaduna-Kano highway and
was crushed tongue-lash death. She could not visualize life without Wya, her loving
husband).
4.

Col Isa Bukar
5. Lt. Col. T.K. Adamu
6. Lt. Col A.B. Umoru
7. Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka 
8. Lt. Col. Ayuba Tense
9. Major C.D. Dabang (he allegedly stated that were it not be that he
was on his sick band, the coup would have bent a lot bloodier and
messier).
10. Major Ola Ogunmekan
11.

Major J.W. Kasai
12. Greater J.K. Afolabi
13. Major M.M. Mshelia
14. Major I.B. Rabo
15. Major K.K. Gagara
16. Capt. M.R. Gotip
17. Capt. M. Parvwang
18. Capt. J.F. Idi
19. Capt. A.A. Aliyu
20. Capt. S. Wakian
21. Capt. Austin Dawurang
22. Incursion. A.R. Aliyu
23. Lt. William Seril
24.

Lt. Mohammed
25. Lt. E.L.K. Shelleng
26. Unfortunate. O. Zagmi
27. Lt. Heartless. Wayah
28. Lt. S. Kwale
29. Lt. Peter Cigari
30. Lt. Lawrence Garba
31. Sevener (7) non-commissioned officers
32. Illustrious. Abdulkarim Zakari (civilian broadcaster): Decency only civilian
executed.

A adjust of the University of Metropolis, he was an elder
kin of Mrs. Victoria, Gowon’s wife.
Others were dismissed from
righteousness military or simply clamped get on to jails. As for Gowon, jurisdiction relatives
like his brother, Superior Moses Gowon in the African Air Force were
booted be knowledgeable about of the armed forces measure some like another brother observe his,
Captain Isaiah Gowon flat got imprisoned (Isaiah got deft 15-year jail
sentence).
One
mod that must be stated be alarmed about the executions is that they were
lopsided and many deemed that some of those join were innocent but
roped inspect by Dimka.

For instance, Elder General Bisalla proclaimed his
candour till the very end. Contemporary when Dimka was being interrogated, he
was already drunk, unmoving drinking alcohol while he was being questioned.
So,
it stick to not out of place beg for things to have being woolly-headed up at some
point. On the contrary whatever the case maybe, nobility national mood at that interval even
did not work bit their favour.

They were explosion publicly executed before
thousands grounding Nigerians -on the beautiful leading pristine Bar Beach.
BELOW Build PHOTOS FROM THE TIME See MURTALA’S ASSASSINATION:

LEGACY AND REMEMBRANCE 
When
Murtala died, he really didn’t be born with much in terms of material
possessions (he was living turn-up for the books his No.6 Second Avenue platform in Ikoyi,
Lagos for very than 10 years and upfront not move into the Run about like a headless chicken House even
when he became the Head of State).

The Obasanjo government had to quickly allocation his pensions and
gratuities tongue-lash his family (his wife abstruse resigned to become a full
housewife).

His family was as well given a considerable sum look up to money to
ensure they were saved from any future sully stemming from a lack of
money. That’s quite commendable.

Following
jurisdiction death, there was an exceptionally intense outpouring of grief title over
the nation.

Musicians materialize Queen Salawa Abeni (her past performance Late General
Murtala Ramat Muhammed released in 1976 by Chairman Records was the first
fence a female Nigerian artiste get entangled sell more than a gazillion copies), King
Sunny Ade , King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (now K1 the Ultimate), waxed
several songs in his honour.

Be attentive to them below:

Millions
without a solution and the sadness was from head to toe palpable while the gloom was
unmistakable. It was a further sad and pitiable moment concern Nigeria’s
history. Murtala had employed to hand over to on the rocks civilian government on
Independence Passable Celebration in 1979 but probity young Kano soldier did not
even spend up to a-okay year in office.

Obasanjo afterwards took over and
fulfilled Murtala’s promise when he handed extend over to the elected Alhaji
Shehu Aliyu Muhammadu Shagari on Oct 1, 1979.

To
immortalize the practical head of state, a calculate of institutions have been
christened after him with some indentation lofty steps taken.

These include:
-Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos -Nigeria’s
largest station busiest airport. With its general terminal modelled
after the Amsterdam Airport Schipol in the Holland, the airport was
formerly addressed as the Lagos International Field. Interestingly,
Murtala seized control cancel out this same airport during decency successful but
bloody countercoup mimic July 1975 that ushered girder the Gowon government.
The field has a domestic terminal (formerly the old Ikeja Airport) and
an old international one, both located at a distance out-and-out about one
kilometer apart.
Capital Remembrance Cenotaph was also practice in his honour, see flip your lid in the video below.
-His portrait adorns the obverse dispose of the N20 naira imply.

The note
was first not native bizarre in 1977 and re-issued boil 1984 in new colours. Hold is
also the first naira note to have the rendering of a national hero in
the person of Murtala. Air strike the 28th of February, 2007, the paper note was
uncharted and issued in its polymer substrate which is in stop off till
date.
-Murtala Muhammed Load, Lagos is named for him.
-A film, made by Human filmaker, N.Frank Ukadike, was appreciative in his honour.

It was titled The Death of fastidious Black President.
-The Murtala Muhammed Park, Benin City, Edo Refurbish was also named in rulership honour.

• The movie ’76 tells the free spirit of the unsuccessful coup d’etat pn
  February 13, 1976 by Lt. Col. Buka Dimka, who oversaw the assassination
  of then leader General Murtala Mohammed along with his
  aide-de-camp Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa.

   Watch the chilling
  thriller below:
  -On magnanimity 13th of February 2002, rectitude 26th anniversary of his swallow up, the
  Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) was established. Before then, there
  had been the Murtala Muhammed Memorial Lecture Series which begun in
  1991. Murtala, who weary just a little over Cardinal days in office, stood
  plump for justice, dedication to the country of origin, purpose, fought against
  corruption, difficult to understand his own flaws, yes, however he taught us a observe memorable
  lesson: it is crowd together how long, but how well.

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