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This is the concluding part of Colonel Dangiwa Umar’s (Rtd) story on how former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha deceived MKO Abiola and manipulated the military to rise to power, his encounter with former President Ibrahim Babangida and others.
My Arrest, Detention and Retirement
Towards the end of September 1993, I was summoned to AHQ by the new COAS, Gen. Aliyu Gusau.
As soon as I entered the Chief’s office, I sensed that some thing was amiss. Gen. Aliyu wore an unusually stern look. He did not even ask me to sit down when he went straight to the point.
He said to me: “Dangiwa, you are my junior brother, I have always taken you into confidence and I am now your Chief. You had been plotting a coup for some time now and you did not tell me.
Why? The Minister of Defence has even shown me the coup speech you prepared for him.”
How could one start answering such a question?
I retorted by asking since he was not part of the plot, how did he expect me to inform him? I refused to deny anything but I told him that his source, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Sani Abacha was my co-conspirator. He said: “Very well, the DMI (who was then Gen. Ahmed Abdullahi) was outside. Let him take your statement.”
I saluted and left. By the entrance was Gen. Ahmed Abdullahi dressed in camouflage uniform. He was with some officers and men of his directorate similarly dressed. The soldiers bore rifles.
I was led into an adjacent room where Ahmed issued me a paper and instructed me to write my statement. I asked on what subject.
He said the coup they are talking about. I told Ahmed that in that case, I did not need to write any statement because both the Minister and he were fully conversant with the subject and should be able to brief the COAS better.
Ahmed told me that he was instructed to take me to Kirikiri after I must have finished writing my statement. He told me also that some reconnaissance battalion commanders had been arrested and brought to Lagos.
I was mad. I felt betrayed. How could anybody think of arresting these principal officers who were only ready to selflessly serve the cause of justice? I pleaded with Ahmed to please help in setting them free. I promised I would take responsibility. Gen. Ahmed was most sympathetic and promised to ensure their safety. But he was simply carrying out his orders clearly against his wish. I have said it earlier that he was pro-de-annulment even if he changed later.
The news of my arrest spread so fast throughout AHQ. Many officers rushed to the Chief’s office to confirm. Those of them who were involved decided to meet Gen. Aliyu. They were led by Gen. Tanko Ayuba and the Chief’s Military Assistant, Col. Jaafara Isa.These officers proved to be the men of great honour and moral courage.
They briefed the Chief on the genesis of our struggle and its aim.
They confessed that they were also involved as Gen. Abacha and a host of others were. They intimated him of their willingness to give themselves up instead of watching me made a scapegoat.
The general was shocked and near tears when they narrated their story. He called me back and told me that he had been briefed by some officers on my case. He ordered that I stay with the DMI.
The End.
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