Today In History: Gen. Murtala Muhammed assassinated on his way to work

General Murtala Muhammed with an insert of the car he drove in

Exactly 25 years today, February 13, 1976, General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated on his way to work at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, alongside his aide, Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa.

On this faithful day, his Mercedes Benz car drove through the infamous Lagos traffic near the Federal Secretariat at Ikoyi in Lagos. Suddenly a group of soldiers (members of an abortive coup led by Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka) emerged from an adjacent petrol station, ambushed his vehicle, and murdered General Muhammed.

Prior to his death, 37-year-old Murtala Muhammed was a Nigerian general who led the Northern counter-coup forces in overthrowing the Republic of Nigeria and featured prominently during the Nigerian Civil War and thereafter ruled over Nigeria from 30 July 1975 until his assassination on February 13, 1976.

This period in Nigerian history, from the Northern counter-coup victory to Murtala's death, is commonly associated with the institutionalization of the military in politics.

Under his regime, the country transitioned from being authoritarian into consensus decision-making.

Murtala ruled over a period of rampant economic prosperity. During his tenure, the dictatorship softened and Murtala unveiled plans for the demilitarization of politics. In 1976 barely seven months into his nascent rule Murtala without having time to see his plans implemented was assassinated in a failed coup d’etat attempt.

He was succeeded by Chief of Staff, Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of State who led the Nigerian transition to democracy with the Second Nigerian Republic.

The legacy of Murtala in Nigerian history remains controversial as the nature of his rule changed over time. His reign was marked by both brutal repression, and economic prosperity, which greatly improved the quality of life in Nigeria. His dictatorial style proved highly adaptable, which enabled wide-sweeping social and economic reform, while consistent pursuits during his reign centered on highly centralized government, authoritarianism, federalism, national Federalism and pan-Africanism.

Today, Muhammed's portrait adorns the 20 Naira note and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos is named in his honour.