SHOCKING! Babangida Exposes Dark Secrets Behind Gen. Murtala Muhammad’s 1976 Assassination; SEE What He Said
Former Nigerian military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has revealed the events leading to the assassination of General Murtala Ramat Muhammed on February 13, 1976.
Babangida’ s detailed account is part of his newly released autobiography, ” A Journey in Service, ” which has sparked widespread interest and discussions.
General Murtala Muhammed came to power after the coup that ousted General Yakubu Gowon in 1975. According to Babangida, a group of young officers expected Muhammed to lead a collective government alongside Brigadiers Olusegun Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma.
However, Muhammed outrightly rejected this proposal, insisting on ruling independently. Babangida recounted that the refusal to accept a triumvirate power- sharing arrangement set the stage for the conspiracy that led to Muhammed’ s assassination.
Despite hours of negotiations, Muhammed stood firm in his decision to rule without being beholden to anyone.
Once in power, he wasted no time in restructuring the military and public service, ordering the mass retirement of senior military officers and top civil servants.
See How The Assassination Happened
The growing resentment among the affected officers and civil servants culminated in the bloody coup of February 13, 1976, led by Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka. The coup plotters ambushed Murtala’ s convoy in Lagos, gunning him down in broad daylight.
He admitted that the intention behind the mass retirements was good, but in the process, some innocent officers and civil servants became victims.
The revelations in Babangida’ s autobiography provide a new perspective on the events leading to the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. As Nigeria reflects on this significant chapter in its history, the insights offered by Babangida underscore the complexities of leadership and the far- reaching impact of political decisions.
