A daughter of the late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammed, has said her father’s trademark simplicity and aversion to heavy security arrangements exposed him to the assassination that cut short his rule in 1976.
Speaking at a public event, Aisha Muhammed said the former military leader deliberately shunned elaborate convoys and layers of protection, preferring to move freely among ordinary Nigerians — a choice that, she noted, made him vulnerable during the coup attempt that claimed his life.
According to her, Muhammed often drove through regular traffic without escorts, guided by a deep sense of humility, courage and faith. “He believed strongly in divine protection and did not want security barriers to separate him from the people,” she said.
She explained that while the approach reflected his integrity and fearlessness, it also made it easier for assassins to ambush his vehicle in Lagos traffic on February 13, 1976, killing him and his aide-de-camp.
The former Head of State came to power in a bloodless coup in July 1975 and was widely celebrated for his sweeping anti-corruption drive, civil service reforms and the creation of new states. His tenure, however, lasted just 199 days before it was cut short by a failed coup led by Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka and others.
Muhammed’s family has often reflected on how his leadership style intersected with Nigeria’s turbulent political climate, stressing that his openness and unpretentious nature — though admirable — contributed to the tragic circumstances of his death.
Her comments have reignited conversations on leadership, personal security and the risks faced by reformist leaders in volatile political environments, as Nigerians continue to reflect on the enduring legacy of one of the country’s most iconic heads of state.
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