General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated on 13 February 1976 during an abortive coup led by

Lieutenant Colonel Buka Suka Dimka led the abortive coup of 13 February 1976 during which General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated. Dimka announced the coup on radio but it was quickly suppressed; he was subsequently tried and executed. General Olusegun Obasanjo then assumed leadership as Head of State.