By Ekemini Udim | Back in History Media | May 10, 2025
On the morning of Friday, February 13, 1976, Nigeria was jolted by the assassination of its third military Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, in Lagos. The country was thrown into chaos and uncertainty, as the news of the coup attempt spread rapidly.
Following the deadly ambush, Lt. Col. B.S. Dimka — a key figure in the failed coup — stormed the studios of Radio Nigeria and broadcast a chilling announcement to the nation:
“Good morning fellow Nigerians. This is Lt. Col. B. Dimka of the Nigerian Army calling. I bring to you good tidings. Murtala Mohammed’s deficiency has been detected… The state affairs will be run by Military Brigade Commanders until further notice… Any attempt to foil these plans from any quarters will be met with DEATH. You are warned…”
The coup was short-lived. While Dimka continued repeating his broadcast at intervals, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Babangida, then a trusted colleague, confronted and dislodged him from the studio. Dimka fled — first vanishing without a trace and leaving the entire nation on edge.
Fleeing to Jos, his native region in present-day Plateau State, Dimka later moved to Afikpo in Ebonyi State. There, he sought refuge with his long-time girlfriend, Ugo. A familiar face in the area, especially after his military service in Afikpo during the Nigeria-Biafra War, Dimka was well known for his charisma — and his fondness for bars and public gatherings.
But notoriety had caught up with him. As he stepped out of the FRIENDSHIP HOTEL, locals recognized him from the frequent radio announcements. Security forces were tipped off, and by nightfall, the hotel was surrounded.
Dimka narrowly escaped through a window, disappearing into the nearby bush. He managed to evade immediate capture, crossing the road and boarding a taxi. But realizing the noose was tightening — with roadblocks and continuous radio alerts — he surrendered at a checkpoint. According to reports, he told the officer:
“This is Lt. Col. B.S. Dimka, the man you have been looking for.”
He was immediately arrested, handcuffed, and taken into military custody. Soon after, he was flown back to Lagos to face a military tribunal.
At the trial, Dimka did not deny his actions. In his own words:
“Of course, being a soldier, I have an honor to maintain and I believe I have no reason at this stage to lie.”
Found guilty of treason alongside several co-conspirators, Dimka was executed by firing squad on May 15, 1976, at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison. He was just 35 years old.
A graduate of the Australian Army Officer Cadet School in Portsea, Australia, Dimka’s career had once been promising. But the events of that fateful February morning led to a swift and tragic end.
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