OnE of Nigeria’s most remembered leaders, 37-
year-old Murtala Muhammed, was killed on
February 13, 39 years ago, in an abortive coup
attempt led by Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka. Many years have passed, but the nation still
remembers its great leader.
For many Nigerians, getting to know Murtala
Mohammed was from the green, crispy N20 naira
note, which had its face inscribed on it, and really
clear-headed stories told by parents. We gathered
for some must-know facts you need to know about
hero of Nigeria’s nation.
1. Born on a Tuesday, the 8th of November, 1938,
in the Kurawa Quarters of Kano State to Risqua
Muhammed and Uwani Ramatu, he had 7 siblings
(one girl and seven boys) and he was the second
child.
2. On the 26th January, 1952, he was admitted as
student number 941 as the school itself was
founded in 1909. He was one of the ten students
from Kano and finished in 1957. One of his
classmates was the late General Mohammed
Shuwa shot dead at his home by gunmen in Maiduguri in November 2012. Shuwa was one of
the prominent figures during the Nigerian Civil War
and later a leading figure in Murtala’s government.
Gowon also attended the same college.
3. He attended Regular Officers Special Training
School , ROSTS (Teshie, Ghana), now Ghana
Military Academy where he was taught as a 2nd
Lieutenant infantry tactics and military laws by the
late Odumegwu Ojukwu. Obasanjo and Gowon
also attended ROSTS.
4. Murtala might be a strong-headed soldier but he
was an amazing family man. In 2006, his Yoruba
wife (with partly Fulani roots), Mrs. Hafsat Ajoke
Muhammed recollects the fond memories: “At home and at work, my husband was one and the
same person. His behaviour at work and home
were the same. He was a firm person, upright and
had a great sense of humour.”
5. He was introduced to his wife by his cousin.
They fell in love, hit it off, and when they met in
Kaduna later, he proposed to her and they got
married in Kaduna in 1963 after her studies, the
same year he became a Captain. Their marriage
was a blissful and peaceful one. In 1965, the marriage was blessed with a cheeky baby girl who
later attended the Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos. 6. At the time when Murtala was killed, his
daughter, Zalihatu was just two years old, and
Jumai was just a baby.
7. When Murtala was killed and the news was
relayed to his wife, she broke down and wept for
her dear husband.
8. Today, Mrs. Ajoke Muhammed is ageing
gracefully, is widely respected for her charitable
activities and calm demeanor. Even as a First
Lady, she was not unnecessarily flamboyant. Her
marriage was blessed with six children: Aishat,
Fatimah, Zakari, Risqua Abba, Zalihatu, Jumai (she was just a baby, less than a year old when
her father was killed). The daughters are now
married.
9. By the end of 1964, Murtala was already a
temporary Major (known as a T/Major).
10. The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) lasted for
thirty blood-soaked months and one of the principal
actors of that sad phase of Nigerian history was
Murtala.
11. On the evening of the 30th of July 1975,
Murtala made his maiden speech to the nation as
the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces
12. He set up a panel headed by Justice Ayo
Irikefe on the creation of seven more states (Niger,
Bauchi, Gongola, Benue, Ogun, Imo and Bendel)
to the 12 existing ones on 22nd December, 1975.
The panel came up with a report which was utilized
in the formation of new states in 1976.
13. Murtala was a blunt, outspoken and
consummate risk taker. A soldier who ironically
had no regard for the chain of command, he was in
a class of his own when it came to dangerous
exploits. A no-nonsense person, Murtala was
known for his legendary outbursts of terrifying anger.

Nice.

His death lead to the beginning of the civil war.

Ok

I thought the north is filled with dirty , uneducated buffons ??

Yeye people claiming north is full of illiterates , see your life outside

14. He is the first president of South South origin, his ancestral house still stands in Avielle, Edo state.

It beats my imagination that a man like Murtala Ramat Mohammed still has,not just a place of honour on the 20 Naira note, but also has an International Airport and many other landmarks named after him. How is this possible? Or is it that no one cares about history any more? How can such a controversial character still be accorded such recognition?
The sins of Murtala:

1] Led the counter coup and superviced the killing of over 300 fellow officers. Murtala led other northern elements (including the then Lt Buhari) to commit this murderous act in retaliation for what they tagged an "Igbo coup". For me,a coup plotter,wether Nzeogwu or Murutala has any place in history. It should also be noted that everyone who participated in the first coup were punished at the end of the war while Murutala and co who committed far worse atrocities got off scot-free.

2]Troops under Murtala's command committed genocide in Asaba when they entered the city at the start of the civil war. Over 700 defenceless civilians who came to welcome the federal troops were gunned down in cold blood. Wether this happend on Murutala's orders or not is immaterial. His troops killed people and he should bear responsibility for the conduct of his men.

3]Murtala,in direct contravention of orders and sound advice led thousands of Nigerian soldiers to their deaths trying to cross the river Niger (in 3 separate attempts) into Onitsha all in his vain attempt to increase his popularity. His troops would later be destroyed at Abagana and he was recalled from the war and sent to London while many of his men lay dead under the River Niger.

4]murtala came to represent the face of northern domination. He kicked out Gowon,seized power,retired everyone who was above him in rank and in one of the worst acts of military indecipline,he triple promoted himself from a one star Brigadier to a full 4 star General. Murutala was the first military officer to conduct a coup in other to take political power. Even Nzeogwu and co had no intention to take power for themselves.

Murtala Mohammed was a failed soldier,a sociopath,mass murderer and accomplished coup plotter. Because of him,many people needlessly died. My question is this. What is the face of such a despicable man doing on the 20 Naira note?

DaBullIT:
I thought the north is filled with dirty , uneducated buffons ??

Yeye people claiming north is full of illiterates , see your life outside

I don't like stereotyping any region, because good and bad can be found in all regions, but education in the north is a far cry compared to other regions. Many governments are trying sha, putting incentives to encourage more people to embrace education like scholarships, free books, low cut-off marks, free laptops in some places, feeding etc. A trip around would do you some good or better still ask around.

armadeo:
Nice.

His death lead to the beginning of the civil war.

haha how can his death lead to another war.the war he committed genocide in asaba delta state or another war in your dream