By Chioma Obinagwam
Some Nigerians have reacted negatively to the call by Bashir Ahmad, the Personal Assistant on New Media to the President of Nigeria- Muhammadu Buhari to celebrate Nigeria’s former military head of state, Murtala Mohammed, who died 45 years ago on February 13, 1976.
Confiance News gathered from Ahmad’s official Twitter handle on Saturday.
Read also: History today: Asaba massacre October 7, 1967
“Former Nigeria’s military leader, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed was assassinated on February 13, 1976, exactly 45 years today. A hero forever!,” he tweeted.
https://twitter.com/EgbunikeJamesM1/status/1360609193938595840
Reactions have continued to flow in as Asaba trended on Twitter- a reflection of late General Muhammed’s role in the bloody Asaba Massacre of 1967.
Hero? For what exactly? The Asaba massacre?
— Basket Mouth (@basket_mouth) February 13, 2021
Young man you need to read this book….
No be today ur Oga's tyranny begin pic.twitter.com/EQQlLoKlMg— Oby đŸ¦‹ (@Obyofficial__) February 13, 2021
This man was responsible for what is known as the "Asaba Dance of Death." when he commanded the Second Brigade during the Nigerian Civil War. His soldiers lined up innocent civilians, asked them to dance and machine-gunned them.
One of the survivors is Professor Pat Utomi. https://t.co/1lX5bsCanG
— Joel ESQ. (@_empighalo) February 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/MrNosegbe/status/1360554012215562240
https://twitter.com/SIINA_BOI/status/1360552801907138560
Although the memories of Asaba Massacre still lingers, others, however, shared divergent views by offering prayers and goodwill messages.
https://twitter.com/Kisulab/status/1360529812956327937
A principled and fearless leader. May Allah continue to have mercy on his gentle soul.
— Aliyu Mu'azu Bakoshi (@MuBakoshi) February 13, 2021
Although there are two schools of thought with regards to the commemoration of General Mohammed’s death, the fact is that even if the wound of the Asaba Massacre may have healed, the scar still remains visible.
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