Obasanjo: Murtala’s Assassination Could Have Been Prevented

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says General Murtala Muhammed’s death revealed a dangerous level of security complacency at the time. Speaking on News Central TV, Obasanjo blamed “naivety” for the relaxed protection around the military head of state. He recalled warning Murtala about personal security, but the late leader felt he had nothing to fear and even drove himself around Lagos. According to Obasanjo, that overconfidence created the opening the coup plotters needed. The failed February 1976 coup ended in Murtala’s death and a brutal lesson for military leaders. He warned that courage in leadership must never slip into carelessness, especially in a country where power struggles can turn deadly.

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