Murtala Mohammed Would Haven’t Been Killed the Way He Was Killed – Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has revisited the 1976 assassination of former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, describing it as a consequence of major lapses in security planning at the time.

Speaking in an interview with News Central TV, as reported by PM News Nigeria on April 27, 2026, Obasanjo said the tragic event exposed weaknesses in how government officials approached safety and risk. He noted that greater attention to security could have prevented the killing.

Obasanjo explained that the leadership culture of that era was shaped by confidence and a belief that serving the nation offered sufficient protection. According to him, Murtala Muhammed often moved around Lagos with minimal security, despite holding one of the country’s most sensitive positions.

He revealed that he had raised concerns about the risks on several occasions, but his warnings were not acted upon. Reflecting on the incident, Obasanjo described the situation as a critical misjudgment driven by overconfidence.

He added that officials at the time underestimated internal threats, assuming there was little to fear while focusing on reforms and national progress.

The former president also pointed to the level of coordination behind the failed coup attempt, noting that the attackers exploited the weak security arrangements around top officials.

Murtala Muhammed was killed on February 13, 1976, during an attempted military coup by dissident soldiers. His death cut short a reform-driven administration that had been preparing for a transition to civilian rule.

Obasanjo said the incident led to a shift in how Nigerian leaders approach security, with greater emphasis placed on protection and vigilance. He stressed that leadership courage must always be balanced with caution, warning that overconfidence can expose even top officials to serious danger.