Abdulsalami Reveals ‘Fishy’ Events That Preceded Abacha’s Sudden Death

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has revealed that the circumstances surrounding the death of General Sani Abacha on June 8, 1998, left him with a lasting suspicion that “something was fishy.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Abubakar disclosed that he and the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, were unexpectedly locked inside a waiting room at the Presidential Villa for nearly an hour before they were informed of Abacha’s death.

The account is contained in Chapter 19 of Abubakar’s 264-page autobiography, Call of Duty, which was unveiled on Saturday during a public presentation of the book and two others at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The event marked his 84th birthday and was attended by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In the book, Abubakar recounted that the day began with a phone call on June 8, 1998, while he was awaiting instructions regarding his possible retirement after 35 years of military service.

He explained that he initially received a message suggesting he might be retired, a development he interpreted with uncertainty. He also recalled being informed of a possible trip to an ECOWAS summit in Togo, which he said he was reluctant to attend.

According to him, a later call instructed him to report to the Head of State, prompting him to proceed to the Presidential Villa in casual clothing due to urgency. However, upon arrival, he was told Abacha was not in his office.

Abubakar said he was directed to wait, and shortly after, Major-General Ishaya Bamaiyi joined him. Both men reportedly waited for about an hour in unusual circumstances that raised his suspicion.

He further stated that the waiting room was later found to have been locked from the outside, deepening his unease about the situation.

Abubakar added that the Inspector-General of Police at the time, Ibrahim Coomassie, eventually opened the door and led them away, only to inform them that Abacha had died. He said he was shocked by the news and immediately requested confirmation.

He recalled being taken to the residence where he saw Abacha’s body, prayed for him, and then left the room as discussions about succession began almost immediately.

According to him, senior officials including Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, Babagana Kingibe, and Justice Muhammadu Uwais were present, and attention quickly shifted from burial arrangements to the question of who would succeed the late Head of State.

Abubakar alleged that some individuals within Abacha’s inner circle appeared more focused on succession plans than on announcing the death, and that he and Bamaiyi were initially excluded from those arrangements.

He also described tense deliberations within the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC), which he chaired, noting that disagreements arose over leadership succession before Abacha’s burial was concluded.

Abubakar further claimed that parts of the burial arrangements in Kano may have been used to manage or delay developments in Abuja while decisions on succession were being finalised.

He said the leadership contest that followed involved senior military officers, and after deliberations, he eventually emerged as the 11th Head of State of Nigeria.