On this day, February 13, 49 years ago, Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, was assassinated, and according to historical records, he had only ₦7.22 in his bank account at the time of his death.
This startling revelation was first reported by Gaskiya Tafi Kwabo, the Hausa-language edition of New Nigerian Newspaper, on February 13, 1976. The report, recently unearthed by veteran journalist Sani Usman, stands in stark contrast to the prevailing reality of Nigeria today, where corruption, looting of public funds, and financial mismanagement dominate the headlines.
Murtala Mohammed, who led Nigeria for just over six months before his tragic assassination, is still revered for his discipline, patriotism, and integrity. His murder occurred in a failed coup led by disgruntled military officers who were dissatisfied with recent promotions and the planned demobilization of armed forces personnel. The coup, executed in Kaduna during a military conversion exercise, involved key figures such as Majors Clement Dabang, Ibrahim Rabo, and Kefas Gagara. These officers later conspired with senior figures, including then Defence Minister Major General Iliya Bisala and Colonels Abdul Wya and Isa Bukar, to overthrow Murtala’s government.
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Sani Usman, who was a young student at the time of Murtala’s death, recalled how he learned of the assassination even before it reached the press. According to him, the son of the then-minister under the Sardauna of Sokoto’s administration, Alhaji Isa Kaita, leaked the news to a select few.
“I was the House Prefect on duty at Sardauna Memorial College, Kaduna, when the news broke. I was among the privileged few who got wind of it before the official announcement, thanks to my senior, Alhaji Shehu Isa Kaita, whose father was a minister in the Sardauna era,” Usman recounted.
Reflecting on the current state of Nigerian youth, he lamented that many are more focused on frivolities like Valentine’s Day rather than important historical events such as Murtala’s assassination. He called for the reintroduction of history as a core subject in Nigerian schools to ensure that future generations appreciate the sacrifices and legacies of past leaders.
General Murtala Mohammed’s legacy remains a symbol of leadership and accountability, serving as a stark reminder of how much Nigeria has changed over the decades.