The coup led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari marked a significant turning point in Nigeria's political landscape, as it ended the Second Nigerian Republic, which had been in place since 1979. The political climate at the time was characterized by severe economic difficulties, rampant corruption, and widespread public dissatisfaction with the ruling class. President Shehu Shagari's administration faced mounting criticism for failing to address pressing social and economic issues, which ultimately made it vulnerable to military intervention.

On December 31, 1983, Buhari and his fellow military officers launched a meticulously planned coup, taking control of key locations in Lagos. With the element of surprise on their side, they swiftly overthrew the Shagari government, arresting prominent political figures and dissolving the national assembly. Buhari positioned himself as a strict disciplinarian, promising to restore order and address corruption, creating an emergency rule policy aimed at cracking down on various forms of social crime.

As the newly installed military regime, Buhari's government enacted policies focused on economic recovery, including agricultural reforms, import restrictions, and anti-corruption measures. However, the authoritarian nature of his rule and the lack of political freedoms led to widespread discontent among various segments of Nigerian society. The coup was both an end and a beginning—a deepening of Nigeria's military involvement in governance, setting the stage for future conflicts over power and the struggle for democratic reforms.