God Used Abacha to Save my Life - IBB

Former military president,Ibrahim Babangida on Sunday disclosed how Late dictator, Sani Abacha saved his life.
Gen Babangida, who spoke in an interview in Minna, Niger State, to mark his 74th birthday, said that Abacha and some loyal officers actually saved his life during the Orkar coup of 1990.

He said, 

''May God bless Sani Abacha. Sani Abacha was the chief of army staff (during the time of the coup attempt), he got in touch with me and we sat down and spoke on what we were going to do. Abacha and I rallied round the loyal troops and then I left my state house and joined Abacha in his house. 

''Some officers and men loyal to me insisted and took me out of Dodan Barracks to a safe house where we met other officers and men.”

During the coup which took place on April 22, 1990, Orkar and his men seized the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and various military posts around Lagos. They also took control of Dodan Barracks, then the presidential residence. Babangida was present when the barracks was attacked but he managed to escape through a back route. 

“I can remember fairly well; I had some loyal officers who are supposed to be my protectors and my body guards. Initially they told me to leave but I told them no, I am not leaving for anywhere but they remained stubborn and later I took my family outside Dodan barracks and joined my guards.

“So, we went out of Dodan barracks and we went to a safe house where we got in contact with loyal troops. May God bless Sani Abacha (late Head of State).  The late Gen Sani Abacha was the Chief of Army Staff, he got in touch with me. I got in touch with him and we sat down and talk on what we were going to do.

“Abacha and I rallied round the loyal troops and then I left my State House and joined Abacha in his house. That is what happened.”

The General also expressed confidence on the Buhari government ability to get Nigeria back on a sound economic footing.

He said: 

“I am confident that they (the government) are doing well. They have identified the problems and they look resolute in confronting these problems head-on and there are a lot of people in the society who are offering a lot of sound advice on how to move the country forward and are not relenting.

“I must commend the present leadership for identifying even before and after the election some of the problems facing this country. We should support the President towards achieving these objectives of ensuring security, wiping out corruption and economic development.”