After the Feb 13 Coup: Prelude to Maj Gen Bisalla's Execution & Lt Col Dimka's Confession | 1976

[@olu7116]

46 years ago. The last of the public executions. 10 years later, Vatsa and 9 others were executed inside Kirikiri Prisons. Another almost 100 killed for the Orkar attempt. The military were definitely soldiers of fortune and with reflection more adventurers than revolutionaries . Not making excuses for the Nija governments of those crazy times but we didnt have the gore and frequency of the Liberian carnage.

[@markokoduwa3795]

You are always on time. Thanks a lot.

[@gbengus49]

Thanks Yinka for uploading this. The Bar Beach executions of the 70's. I remember the day very well that Murtala Mohammed was killed, we closed from school early than usual on that. Murtala started very well for a positive change for the country.

[@adeyinkamakinde6164]

Yes, a memorable day. Our headteacher gathered us all together in the school assembly hall and we left for home early that day. There was no action at the Ikeja Cantonment where we were based and the road was clear and streets largely deserted. Also no TV for a week or so during the mourning period.

[@worldfromnwa2305]

Most military men "start well" in the months following their coup. it is only much later that they show their true colors.

[@chukwumaeze3817]

Gomwalks execution was a classic case of military politics... There was never any definite proof of his involvement. His only crime was coming from plateau stste and been close to Gowon. RIP...

[@Jonathanjanjan]

💯💯👍

[@thelmasimms-golo2687]

I really wish I could hear what the recording said

[@remibonifaciobritto-ec8dj]

Wao! I was a child then but I remember everything. Best leader this country lost in Murtala.

[@aureliusmarkus9139]

Dimka looked quite like Gowon. But Adeyinka, do you think he was really involved, his confession notwithstanding?

[@SupremeBros2012]

Well he did shoot Murtala so…..

[@adeyinkamakinde6164]

@ Aurelius Markus: Dimka's central involvement is beyond doubt. He was the "operational manager" of the coup who made a broadcast (a second intended one was not made), went to the British Embassy to speak to make contact with Gowon in England and who commanded the squad which assassinated Muhammed. The question is whether his evidence was always reliable, and even if reliable whether certain people deserved to die e.g. Zakariya Gowon's brother-in-law who supplied the military music on coup day and Joseph Gomwalk. Gomwalk was tried twice (in defiance of the legal principle of "double jeopardy") before being found guilty and condemned to death. Someone argued in an interview published in 2013 that Gomwalk was executed only when the Federal Military Government realised that it would not succeed in having General Yakubu Gowon extradited from England. Yar'Adua was apparently keen on securing Gowon's apprehension and then execution.

[@adeyinkamakinde6164]

"Soon after 8 o'clock, the Head of State drove out of his house on his way to Dodan Barracks. (Lt. Col. B.S.) Dimka and his co-assassins pursued the car of the Head of State. When the Head of State's car was near the petrol station, there was a go-slow and (Lt.) William Seri opened fire on the Head of State. Dimka shouted at (Major I.B.) Rabo to fire at the ADC (Lt. Akintunde Akinsehinwa) which he did." - Excerpt of the text of a statement made to the press by Brigadier Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters after the first batch of executions of those convicted of involvement in the February 13th Coup.

[@philipfrancis3357]

@@SupremeBros2012 he didn't shoot Murtala, Maj Rabo did

[@aureliusmarkus9139]

@@adeyinkamakinde6164 Interesting facts.

[@kayceesam4972]

Dimka is a real Soldier

[@khalidbashir4017]

A fool and a coward that tried to run

[@tonyebiere551]

why? because he was hiding with a prostitute in a hotel?

[@olaoluoladipo4257]

I think the gentleman that introduced Dimka was Mohammad Gambo who eventually became police IG.

[@adeyinkamakinde6164]

I discovered a pic & story on Gambo in a 1987 Newswatch. Will post at the "West African Military Rulers (1960s-1990s) forum.

[@kipchorngwonektiroto457]

Military coups and military leaders tarnished Nigeria. Prophets and apostles have redeemed it.