With the emotive recall of his former orderly, Michael Otuwe (retd.), who was present at the failed 1976 coup, new memories have emerged fifty years after the assassination of former Head of State Murtala Muhammed.
The retired soldier recollects his experiences during the civil war, the personal sacrifices that characterized years of close service to one of Nigeria’s most revered military figures, and how the charismatic leader nearly escaped his assailants in a rare interview that was conducted ten years ago and is being revisited to commemorate the anniversary.
Otuwe recounted his experience joining the military in the interview with Daily Trust, saying, “I am an Igala man from Olamoboro Local Government of Kogi State.” Ankpa Primary School and Ankpa Model Secondary School were my first schools before I enlisted in the army, which is the career I most loved.
On September 11, 1967, he reportedly joined the Nigerian Army at the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos, where he received six months of training just before the Nigerian Civil War broke out.
Following the training, he said, “I was assigned to the Nigerian Army Signal Corps, and by the way, Murtala Ramat Mohammed was the Inspector of Signals at the time and a Colonel.”
Otuwe claimed that his neatness and discipline were the reasons why Muhammad personally picked him.
He informed me that he observed my perfect appearance in my army uniform during our master parade. It was when I was a Lance Corporal that he chose me to be his orderly,” he stated.
He clarified that during the civil war, when the late General became the first General Officer Commanding of the Second Division of the Nigerian Army, he worked closely with Muhammad in a number of positions.
“I worked with him until he was killed, which was eleven years ago,” Otuwe stated, adding that the General had three children during that time: Aisha, Zakari, and Fatima.
According to Otuwe, Muhammad was a military leader who was both strategic and disciplined.
He organized men and supported their well-being. Nigeria was his main priority, and he was intelligent and diligent,” he said.
One time, he remembered, Biafran soldiers surrounded them.
“Even those of us who were with him were perplexed by his brilliant tactical maneuver and subsequent retreat. Despite the desire of many to give up, he set out to fight and prevail so that Nigeria might remain a single nation.
Surviving Ambushes
The retired soldier described a number of ambushes that were encountered throughout the conflict. When we were surrounded at Ukpo Junction in Abbagana, it was one of the most memorable ambushes and attacks we experienced, he said. In a calculated move, Murtala withdrew and readied himself for a defensive assault, which resulted in the conquest of numerous towns and cities.
In order to prepare for future offensives, Otuwe said, troops proceeded through Asaba and then to Idah in modern-day Kogi State following a few operations.
There was a reorganization in 1968 that returned General Murtala to Lagos as the Inspector of Signals and Minister of Communications. He remarked, “That meant he was working two jobs at the same time.”
When asked how his work affected his family, Otuwe claimed his wife had become used to life in the military.
She had integrated herself into the system and was married to a soldier. We were off duty when she saw us at home,” he explained.
He also mentioned how his hectic schedule meant that his kids didn’t see him very often.
Since I left home at dawn and returned late at night, Otuwe observed, “the majority of my children nearly forgot me.”
Secret Visits and Price Tracking
Otuwe also described Muhammad’s concealed role in Lagos market price monitoring.
“I once followed him to survey prices and the rising cost of goods with his ADC, Lieutenant Akintunde Akinterinwa,” he recalled.
He entered Sangross (Lagos Island), Ajegunle, and finally Agege markets while wearing a tracksuit, a face cap, and dark goggles. He unloaded from the horse at a fueling station, tied it, and rode out. While I was feigning to be a window shopper, the ADC acted as though we were not together and was writing the costs. As everyone waited for their turn, a market woman advised him to give other customers a chance because people were more orderly back then. After two weeks, ships carrying meat and goods arrived. The flesh was referred to as “Murtala Meat.”
Orderly, Michael Otuwe, and Murtala Muhammad
Day of Assassination
In response to a question concerning the events of the day Murtala was killed, Otuwe said, “He was killed on July 29, 1976 (begins to cry).” July 29, 1975, to February 13, 1976, was his six-month reign. Before he left Dodan Barracks, he allowed the house to be renovated and the items (personal effects) of General Gowon to be carefully removed rather than thrown out, demonstrating his great goodness. He was commuting from Ikoyi without the use of motorbike outriders, pilot cars, armed military personnel, or security bodyguards, among other things. Only the official Mercedes-Benz with the military flag on the right and the national flag on the left was used by him. The Federal Secretariat in Ikoyi was being renovated and covered in zinc when we passed through it on that fateful day.
“When we arrived at Alagbgon Junction, the traffic cop failed to see the flags and would have let the cars heading our way go on, but instead he stopped the five or six cars ahead of us. Then I noticed some people in Agbada (Babanriga), and when they raised them, they pulled out AK-47 rifles and opened fire on us.” Sergeant Adamu Michika, the driver, had already been struck in the head by a masked man who grasped the armrest holding the suit bag with the General’s mufti inside. Taking shelter, I landed on the driver.
The ADC and the General also sought refuge. One of the Majors noticed that as the ADC opened the door to assist the General, the Major shouted and informed his colleagues that they were still alive. This occurred on the way to the National Broadcasting Corporation, Radio House, where the assassins had gone to announce the takeover. They hurried back and turned to shoot us as a result. The only one who survived was myself, having been shot in the hip and arm.
After pursuing the men, General Murtala’s loyalist troops led us to the mortuary. When I came up from my slumber, it was the pain and the air conditioner’s wind. When the mortuary attendant saw that I had raised my hand, he informed a doctor, who confirmed that I was still alive. I was then taken to Dodan Barracks and a hospital on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.
Following the incident, Otuwe remarked, “I recovered for six months and went back to work with the Nigerian Army Signal Corps.” I worked alongside Generals Adenaju, Raji Rasaki, and Tanko Ayuba there.
“No, not at all,” the retired soldier said when asked if he had ever been honored.
Speaking about where he was staying at the time of the interview, Otuwe disclosed, “I currently rent a two-bedroom house in Maraba, Nasarawa State. There is no house number or even a name for the street. In Maitama, however, I work in Riskua Murtala Muhammad’s office.
On December 31, 1999, Otuwe remembered, he retired as a Master Warrant Officer.
Otuwe responded, “No, no, no, not at all,” when asked if he ever regretted being a member of the Nigerian Army.
