In this week’s edition of Gone But Not Forgotten, InformDailyNews revisits the life of Baba Masha, one of Nigeria’s most feared armed robbers of the 1970s. Unlike heroes who shaped society positively, Baba Masha’s name is etched in memory for all the wrong reasons: daring robberies, violent escapades, and a reign of terror that left an unforgettable scar on Nigeria’s security history.
Note: Baba Masha’s real birth name is not documented in historical records. Most newspapers, police reports, and oral accounts refer to him only by his street name. This was common among notorious criminals of the era, who used nicknames to protect their identities and cultivate fear.
ORIGIN AND EARLY LIFE
Baba Masha was born in the bustling Mushin area of Lagos State, into a poor polygamous family. Accounts suggest he grew up amidst hardship, poverty, and the pull of street life. Instead of taking to honest work, he was lured into crime, starting with petty thefts before quickly graduating to armed robbery.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, he had assembled a notorious gang that spread fear across the Western Region. His nickname “Masha”, meaning to trample in Yoruba slang, reflected his fearlessness in street fights and gang clashes.
HIS LIFE OF CRIME
Baba Masha rose to infamy alongside other deadly robbers like Ishola Oyenusi. His gang became infamous for violent daylight robberies, merciless shootings, and brazen raids on highways.
“Daredevil Baba Masha Strikes Again in Lagos!” — Daily Times
Among his most notorious acts:
Lagos Bank Robbery: Stormed a commercial bank in daylight, escaping with huge sums.
Highway Ambushes: Targeted travelers on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, leaving victims terrified.
Broad-Daylight Market Raids: Attacked Ikorodu market, robbing traders and instilling mass panic.
“Daylight Horror: Baba Masha Robs Bank, Escapes in Stolen Car” — West African Pilot
“Terror in the West: Baba Masha and Gang Spill Blood on Lagos-Ibadan Road” — Sunday Times
HUNTED AND EXECUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT
The escalating crime wave forced General Yakubu Gowon’s military government to act decisively. In 1970, the regime enacted Decree No. 47 (Armed Robbery and Firearms Decree), prescribing the death penalty by firing squad for armed robbery.
Despite his cunning, Baba Masha was eventually captured, tried, and convicted under this decree. His execution, carried out publicly by firing squad, became a symbol of Gowon’s determination to curb violent crime.
“Infamous Baba Masha Meets His End at the Firing Squad” — Nigerian Herald
LEGACY OF FEAR
Baba Masha left behind no heroic deeds, only fear, destruction, and lessons on the consequences of crime. His story is a chilling reminder that fame achieved through violence is fleeting, and the state will eventually exact justice.
His name remains a cautionary tale, referenced in discussions about crime in Nigeria and in folklore passed down across Lagos neighborhoods.
Leave a Reply