Bello Shagari, the grandson of former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari, recently shared a heartbreaking story about his father, Muhammad Bala-Shagari, being forcibly retired from the Nigerian Army. In a poignant social media post honoring his father’s birthday, Bello revealed that his father’s only crime was being the son of the ousted president.

At the time of his retirement, Muhammad Bala-Shagari held the rank of captain in the armed forces. Bello shared a photo of his father in military uniform from around 1980, emphasizing that his father was passionate about his job but was unjustly removed from the Army in 1984 following the coup that deposed his grandfather.

Despite facing such adversity, Muhammad Bala-Shagari persevered without any entitlements for years. On his 75th birthday, Bello expressed his love and admiration for his father, celebrating his resilience and strength.

The political landscape in Nigeria shifted dramatically in 1983 when Major-General Muhammadu Buhari seized power, citing economic mismanagement, inflation, corruption, and security concerns as justification for the coup against the democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari.

This poignant story sheds light on the personal toll of political upheaval and serves as a reminder of the human impact behind historical events. It is a testament to the resilience and dignity of individuals like Muhammad Bala-Shagari, who faced unjust consequences simply for their family ties.