The first of six Nigerian military junta began in 1979 when General Yakuba Gowon overthrew Murtala Mohammed.
Months later, in February 1976, Mohammed was assassinated by Buka Suka Dimka and others in a violent coup attempt, but the plotters failed to kill Olusegun Obasanjo, who then succeeded Mohammed as head of state. Brigadier (later General) Murtala Mohammed succeeded Gowon. 
