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.
Murtala was a coward. During the Abagana ambush where only 700 intrepid Biafran soldiers decimated 6000 FG troops, he ran away and left his soldiers to die like chickens.
Murtala could only display his power on Women and children; he never won a single battle in his life time.
— Ben-Gurion (@EgbunikeJamesM1) February 13, 2021
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— Obiajulu ™ (@Obiajulu___) 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
— Papilo! (@_empighalo) February 13, 2021
My father escaped this man's killer squad during the Asaba massacre in 1967 with nothing but the clothes on his back. Had he been killed I would literally not be alive. May God punish you and everyone else who continue to venerate this war criminal. https://t.co/YjEqb86Ir7
— H.O.N. (@MrNosegbe) February 13, 2021
Sorry sir, these are our heroes ! pic.twitter.com/KPZzlprkMz
— #SHINAPELLER OUT WORLDWIDE♥️🕊️🕊️ (@SIINA_BOI) February 13, 2021
Although the memories of Asaba Massacre still lingers, others, however, shared divergent views by offering prayers and goodwill messages.
May Allah continue to have mercy on his soul and grant him Aljannat firdaus. May his killers never know peace.
— Kisulab (@Kisulab) February 13, 2021
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.
