Obasanjo Opens Up: ‘Murtala would not have been killed this way’

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up on the assassination of former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, saying the late military ruler’s death exposed a dangerous level of security complacency within the government at the time.

Obasanjo, who succeeded Murtala after the failed coup of February 13, 1976, said the tragedy might not have happened in the manner it did if the leadership had taken security more seriously.

Speaking during an interview on News Central TV, the former president blamed what he described as “naivety” for the relaxed security arrangement around Murtala.

According to Obasanjo, Murtala was a bold and confident leader who believed he was doing the right thing for Nigeria and therefore had nothing to fear.

But Obasanjo said that belief became a costly mistake.

He recalled that Murtala moved around Lagos with little concern for personal security, even driving himself as military Head of State.

Obasanjo said he had warned Murtala about the danger of such exposure, but the late leader did not treat the matter with the seriousness it deserved.

“Murtala would not have been killed the way he was killed if not for our naivety,” Obasanjo said.

He added that the leadership at the time wrongly assumed that because they were working in the interest of the country, no one would move against them.

“Our belief was that he was doing what was right. So what did we need to fear?” Obasanjo said.

The former president explained that the government was not expecting the level of conspiracy that later unfolded. According to him, the relaxed attitude toward security created an opening that the coup plotters exploited.

Murtala was assassinated in Lagos during a failed coup led by soldiers opposed to his regime. His death abruptly ended a government that had promised sweeping reforms and a transition to civilian rule.

Obasanjo said the incident became a brutal lesson for the military leadership, forcing them to rethink how national leaders should be protected.

He noted that courage in leadership must never be confused with carelessness, especially in a country where power struggles can turn deadly.

The former president’s comments revive memories of one of Nigeria’s most dramatic political assassinations and raise fresh questions about how leaders balance public confidence with personal security