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Breaking! 1976 Murtala Coup ‘Mastermind’, Bisalla’s Wife, Mildred is dead
Mildred, the wife of Late General Iliya Bisalla, one of the mastermind of the 1976 bloody coup that claimed the life of former Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed is dead. Her passing was announced today by her family. The late General Iliya Bisalla was one of the men implicated in the 1976 military coup d’état that led to the death of one of Nigeria’s most loved head of state till date, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed on February 13, 1976 at Obalende, Lagos. Murtala Mohammed was on his way to observe the Muslim Jumat prayer when he was waylaid and shot to death by the coup plotters.
General Bisalla who as at then was the then Commissioner of Defence, now known as Minister of Defence under the regime of Murtala Mohammed and the 4th in command to the head of state. He was implicated by the confessional statement of one of the coup masterminds, Colonel Bukar Suka Dimka, who was arrested in Abakaliki, in present day Ebonyi State. This was after 3 weeks of manhunt following the failure of the coup.
Indeed, the period was a very try one for Mrs. Mildred Bisalla whose elder sister, Helen was married to another top military officer, Joseph Gomwalk who was also implicated in the 1976 coup. Both Bisalla and Gomwalk were executed by a military firing squad at the Lagos Bar Beach on March 11, 1976. Till date, there are still controversies surrounding the involvement of Bisalla and Gomwalk in the coup, as there are those who still believe they were framed and until she breathed her last, the late Mrs. Mildred Bisalla and her children have continued to maintain that her husband was innocent.
Some followers of military politics have continued to maintain that the secret Special Military Tribunal that convicted Bisalla of conspiracy and concealment of treason did so in a controversial fashion because his complicity was not clear. For instance, while the Federal Military Government asserted that Bisalla gave Dimka operational orders, Dimka under interrogation disclosed that another officer, one Major Rabo was the one who provided the operational order. Indeed history has it that Dimka gave a lot of inconsistent testimonies during hid interrogation and was even drinking beer in the course of it.
Bisalla was a product of the prestigious Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom and was a Major General as at the time he was executed.
It is interesting to note that when former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon was getting married in the thick of the Nigerian civil war on April 19, 1969, Mildred Bisalla was one of the four ladies-in-waiting, the others were Hilda Adefarasin, Dora Adefowope and Ruda Mohammed. Late Mildred Bisalla nee Kwashie is originally from Pankshin in Plateau State, but her family as missionaries settled in Wusasa, Kaduna State.
He death must be a personal loss to the family of former head of state, Retired General Yakubu Gowon and his wife, Victoria, not only because their families are very close but also because they are both from Pankshin and their families both settled in Wusasa.
Source: Opera News

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Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
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How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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