On the morning of February 13, 1976, Nigeria was thrown into shock. Gunfire echoed through Lagos as soldiers attempted to overthrow the military government. Within hours, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, the country’s Head of State and one of its most admired leaders, had been assassinated while driving to work.
Leading the coup was Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka, an officer who believed the military leadership had become unfair and corrupt. But instead of seizing power, his plan collapsed almost immediately, forcing him to flee and turning him into Nigeria’s most wanted man.
Why the Coup Failed
Dimka and his supporters expected more military units to join their rebellion. Instead, most senior officers remained loyal to the government. The attempted takeover quickly lost momentum as loyal troops regained control of key military installations.
A radio broadcast made by Dimka announcing the overthrow of the government failed to convince the nation or the armed forces. Within hours, it became clear that the coup had failed.
Following the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed, the Supreme Military Council selected Lt. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo as the new Head of State, ensuring continuity of government and preventing further instability.
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The Escape That Sparked a Nationwide Manhunt
As security forces arrested many of the coup plotters, Dimka slipped away disguised as a civilian. His escape embarrassed the authorities and triggered one of the largest manhunts Nigeria had ever witnessed.
Roadblocks appeared across major highways, border posts were placed on high alert, and security agencies searched towns, villages, forests, and military communities. Newspapers carried his photograph, while reports of possible sightings spread across the country.
Rumours claimed he had crossed the border or escaped overseas, but none proved to be true.
How Dimka Was Finally Arrested
For several weeks, Dimka remained in hiding while security forces continued their search.
The manhunt came to an end on March 6, 1976, when he was arrested near Abakaliki in present day Ebonyi State. Investigators had tracked his movements after receiving information that narrowed down his location.
His arrest ended weeks of uncertainty and marked the final collapse of the failed coup.
Trial and Execution
After his capture, Dimka was brought before a military tribunal alongside other officers involved in the coup.
The tribunal found him guilty of treason, murder, and his role in planning and executing the coup that claimed the life of General Murtala Mohammed.
On May 15, 1976, Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka and several convicted conspirators were executed by firing squad.
The executions reinforced the military government’s determination to discourage future coups and restore confidence within the armed forces.
The Lasting Impact on Nigeria
The events of February 1976 reshaped Nigeria’s political and military history.
General Olusegun Obasanjo continued many of Murtala Mohammed’s reforms and fulfilled the promise to hand power to a civilian administration in 1979, paving the way for the Second Republic.
The failed coup also led to tighter security around national leaders, stronger military intelligence operations, and greater scrutiny within the armed forces.
Nearly five decades later, the story of Buka Suka Dimka remains one of the most dramatic chapters in Nigeria’s history. It is remembered not only for the tragic assassination of a Head of State but also for the nationwide search that brought one of the country’s most wanted military officers to justice.
The arrest of Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka marked the end of a tense chapter that tested Nigeria’s military and political institutions. His failed attempt to seize power through violence ultimately strengthened the resolve of the government, while the swift restoration of order helped shape the country’s future. Today, the events of 1976 remain a powerful reminder of the cost of political instability and the importance of preserving national unity.
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Author’s Note
The story of Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka’s failed coup, dramatic escape, nationwide manhunt, arrest, and execution remains one of the defining moments in Nigeria’s post independence history. Beyond the political crisis, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of violent power struggles and the resilience of a nation determined to preserve order. Understanding this chapter of history helps us appreciate the value of stable leadership, constitutional governance, and national unity.
References
Federal Government of Nigeria Military Tribunal Records (1976)
Max Siollun, Soldiers of Fortune: Nigerian Politics from Buhari to Babangida
Nowa Omoigui, The February 13, 1976 Coup Attempt
John de St. Jorre, The Nigerian Civil War and Military Politics
Daily Times Archives (1976)
National Archives of Nigeria
