Nyorai kuenderera mberi kwechikamu chino - Kubva muna 1965 kusvika muna 1967, Buhari akashanda semutungamiri weChipiri Infantry Battalion uye akagadzwa brigade major, Second Sector, First Infantry Division, Kubvumbi 1967 kusvika Chikunguru 1967. Pashure pokubudirira kweropa kweNigerian coup d'état muna 1966
, izvo zvakaguma nerufu rweMutungamiri Ahmadu Bello. Lieutenant Buhari pamwe nevakuru vechidiki vanoverengeka vanobva kuNorthern Nigeria, vakatora chikamu muJuly counter-coup iyo yakadzinga General Aguiyi Ironsi achimutsiva naGeneral Yakubu Gowon.