A dramatic and poignant retelling of the execution of Bartholomew Owoh exploring his alleged reaction each time the bullet came he was shaking his head as if he was not dead as recounted by Akinnola .
The haunting words each time the bullet came he was shaking his head as if he was not dead attributed to Akinnola capture one of the most tragic images of Nigeria’s history They evoke the final moments of Bartholomew Owoh a young man whose execution by firing squad in 1985 remains etched in the collective memory of the nation This article revisits that story unpacks the statement and reflects on its meaning and legacy .
Historical Context
Bartholomew popularly known as Barth Owoh was one of three men executed by firing squad on 10 April 1985 at the Kirikiri shooting range in Lagos The others were Bernard Ogedengbe and Lawal Ojuolape Their deaths were ordered during the military rule of Major General Muhammadu Buhari who had seized power in a coup in 1983 The decision to execute them was framed as a tough stance on crime and drugs but for many Nigerians it quickly became a symbol of authoritarian rule and disregard for human rights Over time the executions have been remembered as one of the darkest episodes in the country’s history .
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The Akinnola Statement and Its Meaning
The most vivid image to survive from Owohs last moments comes from the claim that each time the bullet struck he moved his head as if he was not dead This detail has deep symbolic resonance It suggests the body may have responded with reflexes even after the first shots It can also be read as a gesture of disbelief or even defiance in the face of death The phrasing leaves space for interpretation Was it a literal account of physical reaction Was it a poetic description of a man unwilling to surrender to fate Whatever the truth the power of the statement lies in how it captures both the brutality of the execution and the resilience of the human spirit .
The Execution
On the morning of the execution Owoh and his companions were taken to Kirikiri Prison grounds Facing a line of armed soldiers they were tied to stakes and shot before an audience of officials and journalists Reports state that they were executed swiftly but the memory of that event lingered with unusual force among those who witnessed it The image of Owoh in particular shaking his head even as bullets struck him reinforced the sense of tragedy His death along with the others was meant to serve as a warning but instead it deepened public unease with the regime .
Public Reaction and Legacy
The execution of Bartholomew Owoh provoked widespread condemnation Many Nigerians saw it as an unnecessary display of cruelty and a violation of basic human dignity In the years that followed his name became a point of reference in discussions about military excesses and extrajudicial killings His story has been retold in books interviews and documentaries often as a way of reminding future generations of the cost of unchecked political power Today the execution of Owoh Bernard Ogedengbe and Lawal Ojuolape stands as a historical marker whenever the nation reflects on issues of justice accountability and the abuse of state authority .
Reflections on the Head Shake
The image of Owoh shaking his head as bullets struck him carries multiple layers of meaning On a human level it underscores the cruelty of taking a young life in such a violent way On a symbolic level it suggests refusal to accept death or a final act of courage in the face of overwhelming force Whether literal or figurative the gesture has become a haunting reminder that even in his last moments Owoh was not fully silenced .
Reliability of the Account
While the phrasing attributed to Akinnola has been widely repeated its exact origin is difficult to verify It may come from a witness report an oral retelling or even a symbolic interpretation Rather than diminishing its significance this uncertainty highlights how memory and history intertwine What is beyond doubt is that Owoh was executed on that April morning and that his death left an indelible mark on the conscience of a nation The detail of the head shake whether factual or figurative deepens the emotional weight of his story .
Conclusion
Bartholomew Owoh’s execution remains one of the most tragic symbols of Nigeria’s years under military rule The phrase each time the bullet came he was shaking his head as if he was not dead captures more than a physical reaction It speaks to the resilience of a man in his final moments and the cruelty of the circumstances that ended his life While the broader history is well documented the haunting detail attributed to Akinnola keeps his memory alive and forces us to reflect on the human cost of authoritarian power His story is not just about one execution but about the fragility of justice and the enduring struggle for dignity in the face of repression .