Murtala Muhammed became Head of State of Nigeria on 29 July 1975, after a coup that removed General Yakubu Gowon.

 Murtala Muhammed became Head of State of Nigeria on 29 July 1975, after a coup that removed General Yakubu Gowon. 

He was known for decisive reforms: cutting bureaucracy and corruption, changing military command structures, retiring senior officers, starting the move of the capital to Abuja, creating new states, etc. 

🕔 On the Morning of February 13, 1976

Roughly after 8:00 am, Muhammed was travelling in his usual route to work from Ikoyi, Lagos, to his office at Dodan Barracks. 

He was in a black Mercedes Benz saloon. With him in the car were:

His Aide-de-camp (ADC), Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa 

His orderly Staff Sergeant Michael Otuwu (some accounts) sitting on the front passenger seat. 

His driver, Sergeant Adamu Michika. 

🚨 The Assassination / Coup Attempt

A group of soldiers who were part of an abortive coup, led by Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka, set up an ambush. 

They waited near a petrol station (adjacent to Bank Road, opposite the Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi—some accounts say “George Street, near Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi”) where Muhammed’s car would pass. 

As Muhammed’s car slowed in traffic / stopped before a row of cars at a junction, the ambush was sprung. According to the orderly’s account:

One of the plotters, dressed in traditional robes (babanriga), removed his robe, pulled out an AK-47 or similar rifle, and shot the driver at close range (in the head). 

Immediately after disabling the car (by killing the driver), other soldiers ran up and opened fire on the vehicle. 

The Head of State was fatally wounded. Also killed were:

His ADC, Lt. Akinsehinwa 

His driver, Sergeant Adamu Michika 

The Orderly (Michael Otuwu) survived the initial attack but was severely wounded, and later taken to hospital. 

⚖️ Aftermath

After the assassination, Dimka made a broadcast on NBC (Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation), claiming that Muhammed’s government had been overthrown by the “young revolutionaries.” He imposed curfew, closed borders and ports, etc. 

Dimka and several co-plotters were eventually arrested and tried. On May 15, 1976, Dimka and other conspirators 

were executed by firing squad for treason and murder.