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.

President Goodluck Jonathan via his Facebook page
spoke about Murtala:
“Today marks the 39th anniversary of the death of
that great Nigerian hero, Murtala Mohammed, who
gave his life for this great nation. In his lifetime he
espoused the belief that Nigeria had come of age
and is ready to play her rightful role as the leader of
the Black Race and a hub for progressive
government on the African continent. Thankfully,
Nigeria has immortalized Murtala’s legacy in books
and monuments and will continue to do so such that
our youth can learn from his life of purpose and
commitment to higher ideals. May his soul continue
to rest in peace and may God continue to comfort
his family as a grateful nation remembers his
sacrifice.”
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.

Yawns... Too long

Okay