Nigerian
Mohammed Shuwa
Nigerian Army Major General
Major GeneralMohammed ShuwaOFR (1 September – 2 November ) was a Nigerian military officer and the first General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army's 1st Division. Shuwa commanded the 1st Division during the Nigerian Civil War. He was murdered in Maiduguri by suspected Boko Haram militants on 2 November [1]
Background & education
Shuwa was born in Masharte, Borno State on 1 September He attended Kala Elementary School (–), Bama Central Elementary School (–), Bornu Middle School (–), and Barewa College, Zaria for his secondary education (–).[2] He was classmates with Gen.
Murtala Muhammed at Barewa and at subsequent military institutions. Along with Murtala Muhammed and others such as Illiya Bisalla, and Ibrahim Haruna, Shuwa joined the Nigerian Army on 19 September [3] and pursued his preliminary cadet training at the Regular Officers Special Training School in Teshie, Ghana.[4] He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in July after completing officer cadet training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.[5]
Activities during the Nigerian Army mutiny of July and October Kano massacres
July Mutiny
Then Lt.
Col Shuwa was Commander of the 5th Battalion in Kano during the Nigerian Army Mutiny of July where many Igbo military officers were systematically murdered by their northern counterparts for what the northern officers perceived as retribution for the January 15, coup (which was led by mostly Igbo officers). Shuwa's deputy at the 5th Battalion, then Major James Oluleye took the initiative by asking his company commanders to lock up the battalion armory and hand over the armory keys in Olulye's armory safe.
As a result of Shuwa and Oluleye's leadership, the lives of many Igbo officers during the July mutiny were saved.[6]
October Kano massacre
In late September , Shuwa and Oluleye were serendipitously posted away from the 5th Battalion and were replaced by then Major Abba Kyari and Captain Auna. On October 1, , 5th Battalion troops mutinied and opened fire on the parade ground as they were addressed by Major Kyari.[7] The mutineers murdered Captain Auna and their Regimental Sergeant Major Dauda Mumuni while Major Kyari was able to escape and hide off base.
The rampaging soldiers broke into the armory and murdered Igbo civilians in Kano including some Igbo refugees about to board a south bound plane.
Lt. Colonel Hassan Katsina, military governor of the Northern Region intervened with the assistance of Lt Colonel Shuwa, Major Martin Adamu, and Lieutenant Garba Duba to suppress the mutiny.[7] The quartet was initially overwhelmed by the mutineers and subsequently enlisted the assistance of the Emir of Kano to quell the mutiny.[7]
Activities during the Nigerian Civil War ()
As General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army's 1 Division during the Civil War, Shuwa opposed Murtala Mohammed's disastrous 2nd Division Onitsha river assault (almost to the point where both men exchanged blows).[8]
Upon Major Kaduna Nzeogwu's death (then a Biafran Lt.
Col) at a battle with Nigerian troops in Nsukka, it was then Col. Shuwa who informed Head of State Major-General Yakubu Gowon about Nzeogwu's demise. Despite the fact that Nzeogwu was technically an enemy soldier killed in combat against the Nigerian Army, Gowon ordered that Nzeogwu's body be flown to Kaduna and buried with full military honours, even as the war raged on in the Eastern Region.[9]
Post Civil War years
From to , Mohammed Shuwa served as Federal Commissioner for Trade and Works.[10] He retired from the Nigerian Army on October 1, , when the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo handed over the reins of political power in Nigeria to the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari.[3]
Death
Shuwa was murdered in his home in Maiduguri, in northern Nigeria, on 2 November by suspected Boko Haram militants.[11]
See also
References
- ^Fani-Kayode, Femi.
"A tribute to General Mamman Shuwa". Premium Times Nigeria.
- ^Uwechue, Ralph (). Africa Who's who.Biography of general mamman shuwa Then Lt. Col at a battle with Nigerian troops in Nsukka , it was then Col. And may the Lord avenge him of all those that saw fit to cut short his precious life. Toggle navigation.
Africa Journal Limited, p. ISBN.
- ^ abOmoigui, Nowa. "Military Rebellion of July 29, The Coup Against Gowon - Epilogue". Dawodu. Retrieved 15 August
- ^"Orji Kalu Pays Tribute To Late General Shuwa, Says He Protected Igbos … Salutes Sani Bello".
Point Blank News. 18 November Retrieved 15 August
- ^West Africa Volume 25, Part 2. Afrimedia International, p. Retrieved 15 August
- ^Siollun, Max ().Biography of general mamman shuwa in hindi In his condolence message to the family delivered by Minister of Youth Development Barrister Inuwa Abdulkadir, President Goodluck Jonathan said General Muhammadu Shuwa was a symbol of unity and humility who served his fatherland selflessly. Despite the fact that Nzeogwu was technically an enemy soldier killed in combat against the Nigerian Army, Gowon ordered that Nzeogwu's body be flown to Kaduna and buried with full military honours, even as the war raged on in the Eastern Region. He was later posted to Kaduna as Commanderof the 1 Brigade and folkwing theAburi meeting of tbe Nigerian Military kaders, he became theNo 1. Log in with your credentials.
Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (). Algora Publishing, p. ISBN. Retrieved 15 August
- ^ abcSiollun, Max (). Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (). Algora Publishing, pp.– ISBN.
- ^Siollun, Max ().
Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (). Algora Publishing, pp.– ISBN.
- ^Siollun, Max. "Who Killed Major Nzeogwu?".Biography of general mamman shuwa in english Shuwa commanded the 1st Division during the Nigerian Civil War. Or maybe they did not do this one. He was first posted to Enugu, then went on the peace-keeping mission to Congo in before returning to Enugu. Alani Akinrinade and General Ibrahim Babangida.
Gamji. Retrieved 15 August
- ^"General Muhammadu Shuwa []". Daily Trust Nigeria. Archived from the original on 23 September Retrieved 15 August
- ^Abiodun, Joseph (3 November ).Biography of general mamman shuwa in urdu But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap. Archived from the original on 23 September In General Mamman Shuwa, the assassins killed one of the most illustrious men ever produced in this country. Point Blank News.
"Boko Haram: Retired general, 40 youths killed in renewed violence". The Nation (Nigeria). Retrieved 15 August