During an interview on News Central TV, former President Olusegun Obasanjo reflected on security practices during Nigeria’s military era, describing them as overly relaxed and, in his words, “naive.” Obasanjo spoke about the late Murtala Muhammed, noting that personal security arrangements at the time were not taken as seriously as they should have been, especially given the risks associated with leadership.........…
He explained that there was a prevailing belief among ... some military leaders that doing the right thing and serving the nation faithfully would naturally protect them from harm.
According to him, this mindset contributed to a lack of strict security precautions, even for top government officials.
Obasanjo recounted that Murtala Muhammed often moved around Lagos without adequate protection and sometimes drove himself, a practice he believed exposed the Head of State to unnecessary danger.
He said he personally warned Murtala about the risks involved and advised him to always ensure he was accompanied, particularly during night movements.
According to Obasanjo’s words, “I told Murtala, you cannot be driving yourself out at night without someone being with you,” he said, stressing that the advice was based on genuine concern for safety.
Obasanjo added that despite his warning, the informal and highly personal approach to leadership movement remained common during that period.
He also admitted that he himself engaged in similar behaviour at times, using a personal vehicle for informal outings without fully considering the security implications.
Looking back, he described those actions as a lapse in judgment shaped by the culture and mindset of the era.
According to him, the experience highlights how attitudes toward security have evolved over time, especially among public officials who now operate under far stricter protection protocols…....…
