Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has admitted that the late General Sani Abacha played a crucial role in saving his life during the failed April 22, 1990 military coup led by Major Gideon Orkar.
Babangida who made the disclosure in his new book ‘A Journey in Service’, stated that Abacha mobilized troops to crush the coup.
According to him, by mid-morning, the coup had been neutralized, and many of the plotters were either arrested or on the run.
Thereafter, he addressed the nation, reassuring Nigerians of his safety and the defeat of the rebels.
He said: “General Sani Abacha took control of the loyal forces as necessary and constantly communicated progress in the operation to foil the coup to me in my safe location.
“By the late afternoon, we addressed the nation, reassuring all of the president’s safety and the liquidation of the coup attempt.”
Babangida, while reflecting on the incident, expressed disappointment in the betrayal by some of the coup leaders, many of whom he had personally assisted in their military careers.
He disclosed that Orkar, the coup’s leader, had frequently visited him, and Colonel Tony Nyiam, another key conspirator, was a regular correspondent with Dodan Barracks.
“I had known many of them personally and helped them in their careers and personal affairs,” he lamented.
