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PHOTOS: HOW OPPONENTS WEAPONISED THE 1992 C-130 TRAGEDY AGAINST MY REGIME. I HAVE NO HANDS IN THE PLANE CRASH— IBB

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Amidst all the intricacies and collisions happening between the military and politics in the early 90’s and especially in 1992, a tragedy befell Nigeria and particularly the families and friends of about 151 military officers and civilians who perished on a Hercules C-130 flight. The flight, which was meant to ferry mid level officers from the airport in Ikeja to Kaduna, crashed just about 3 minutes into lift-off.

Some of the officers from NDA Regular Course 22 who missed the flight had originally been scheduled to take a Senior Course 15 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna They withdrew in the last minute when they expressed their preference to do the course with their own mates in the next around. Others who missed were within the bracket of the 19th, 20th, and 21st courses, and were tied up with military postings. In fact, a lot of the officers who were supposed to be on the flight did not board eventually because they left the airport after hanging around for days waiting for the flight.

And so it happened that on the evening of Saturday, September 26, 1992, at about 5 PM, the military aircraft, which was piloted by Wing Commanders J.P. Alabesunu and A.S. Mamadi finally got clearance from the control tower to take off.

Reports have it that one of the aircraft’s four engines failed immediately after takeoff. Then, a second engine failed shortly afterward as the pilot struggled to return to the airport. In the ensuing microseconds of crucial decision making, the crew tried to maneuver to ditch the fully-laden plane into the Ejigbo Canal for softer impact, but then; the third engine failed and it all went dark for both crew and passengers. The Hercules crashed nose down into a tropical mangrove swamp with one of the wings and the tail broken off.

While there are also conflicting claims that there were 163, 174, or 200 on board, there was no manifest for the flight to clearly ascertain this except the casualty count, which was estimated at 151 persons. The casualty list had a total of 151 involving 7 Lt. Colonels, 96 Majors, 1 Sergeant, 3 civilian staff, 26 Air Force, and 17 Navy officers died on the crash. Additionally, 5 Ghanaians, 1 Tanzanian, 1 Zimbabwean, and 1 Ugandan military officer died in the mishap.

Ideally, the Hercules C-130 had the capacity to carry up to 92 combat troops or 64 fully equipped paratroopers and can haul 20.4 tonnes of cargo. So, the C-130 airplane most likely did not crash because it had so many passengers on it.

In a period where conspiracy theories were rife, it was difficult not to point at a possible complicity of military top brass in the death of the 151 mid level officers. If at all a case could not be made for any reason the military leadership would want to wipe out junior officers, the lackadaisical attitude and the slow response to the rescue mission by then Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Sani Abacha and other commanders on the ground saddled with intelligence and military welfare revealed their indifference about the death of their colleagues.

To quote Remi Oyeyemi, “It is on record that less than an hour of the crash, the British government offered to rescue the victims, and the offer was turned down by IBB. It is also on record that the U.S. government informed the IBB administration that they had a ship on the high seas very close to Nigeria that could be on the scene within a few hours of the crash to help in the rescue effort. It was turned down by IBB.”

Thirty three years after one of the deadliest air crashes in Nigeria’s history, no official report of the incident has been published. Even the widows of the officers involved in the crash were never really given all the benefits promised them. It took the Oputa Panel to compel the Ministry of Defense before some of the promises of death benefits were fulfilled.

The Hercules C-130 may not just have fallen out of the sky for natural causes or a motive to kill a group of promising military officers, but the administrative incompetence which characterizes many of the disaster response moves in the nation may have led to the death of the 151 persons in that ill-fated flight.

Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has denied involvement in the 1992 C-130 military plane crash.

IBB made the denial in his personal memoir “A JOURNEY IN SERVICE” he presented to the public in Abuja.

“Mischief makers and rumour mongers were colouring the public perception of this accident. Some speculated that regime opponents in the armed forces had sabotaged the aircraft to vent their anger in the direction of the administration.

A more wicked version of the rumour was that the administration had somehow plotted to assemble these officers in one consignment for elimination for fear that they might be planning a coup against the military administration’s leadership based on the failed Gideon Orkar coup that had taken place earlier.

It was, however, an indication of the level of decay to which our public perception and discourse had descended. Political opponents weaponised tragedies against my administration. ” Babangida wrote.

Most of those who died were bread winners of their families.Some of them had very bright career prospects ahead. It was during the military era, and nothing could have stopped a few of them from becoming military administrators or board members of choice government agencies, but death ended all that.

See comment section for the names and ranks of the victims. Number 52, Major I K Nwuke was from my Local Government in Rivers State. His father was a regional minister in the old eastern region.
May their souls continue to rest in peace.

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Profile: Major General Akomaye Parker Undiandeye, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Intelligence

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October 25, 2025

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On October 24, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reappointed Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence, reaffirming confidence in his leadership and expertise in strengthening Nigeria’s defence intelligence operations.

Major General Undiandeye first assumed command as the 17th Chief of Defence Intelligence on June 23, 2023, and continues to serve with distinction in the nation’s security architecture.

Born on September 2, 1968, in Bedia, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Southern Nigeria, General Undiandeye hails from the family of Mr. Sylvanus and Mrs. Maria Undiandeye.

He began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, and later proceeded to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, where he completed his cadet training.

Major General Undiandeye has attended several professional military and strategic courses both locally and internationally, including the Nigerian Army College of Logistics, Lagos, and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, for his Junior and Senior Courses.

His quest for advanced military education took him to the National Defence University (NDU), Washington DC, USA, and the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, where he earned a Master’s degree from the University of Ibadan.

Major General Undiandeye also attended the Senior Executives National and International Security Programme at the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Administration, USA, and the International Intelligence Directors Course in Chicksands, United Kingdom.

He holds a B.A. (Hons) in History and a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies. He is an International Counter Terrorism Fellow (ICTF) of the NDU’s College of International Security Affairs, Washington DC.

Throughout his distinguished career spanning over three decades, Major General Undiandeye has held several command, staff, and instructional appointments, contributing significantly to national and global security.

His notable positions include;

Chief of Staff, Headquarters Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps

Director, Lessons Learnt, Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation

Director, Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency

Director, Psychological Warfare, Defence Headquarters

Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre

Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji

Internationally, Major General Undiandeye has served as; Deputy Chief Operations Officer, United

Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL); Deputy Chief of Assessments, UN Headquarters, New York; and as a pioneer seconded officer to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), where he contributed to preventing full-scale conflict between South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan.

His professional excellence has earned him several awards and decorations, including;

Grand Service Star (GSS), Defence Meritorious Star (DMS),

Defence Administration Medal (DAM), Field Command Medal (FCM),

Training Support Medal (TSM), and the

United Nations Headquarters Medal (2013).

Major General Undiandeye is a Fellow of the National Defence College (fdc), Fellow of the National

Defense University, Washington DC (fndu), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration (FCAI),

Fellow of the International Institute of Professional Security (FIIPS), and Fellow of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (FNARC).

His vast experience in intelligence, operations, and strategic leadership equips him with a strong foundation to coordinate the nation’s defence intelligence architecture effectively.

Major General Undiandeye is happily married to Mrs Jane Ekor Undiandeye, and their union is blessed with three children. His hobbies include reading, golf, photography, and nature watching.

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Meet Admiral Idi Abbas, Nigeria’s New Chief of Naval Staff

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October 25, 2025

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On October 24, 2025, the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff, following the retirement of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

A statement from the Nigerian Navy described Rear Admiral Abbas as a seasoned officer who “brings a distinguished record of service and leadership to the Nigerian Navy.”

Early Life and Education

Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was born on September 20, 1969, and hails from Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State in North-West Nigeria

He began his early education at Gwagwarwa Primary School, Kano, and proceeded to the Air Force Military School, Jos, from 1981 to 1986, before gaining admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1987.

Rear Admiral Abbas was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on September 10, 1993, as a member of NDA 40 Regular Course, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.

Military Courses and Qualifications

Rear Admiral Abbas is an Above Water Warfare (AWW) specialist who has attended several military courses both in Nigeria and abroad.

His training includes:

Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at NNS QUORRA (1994)

Junior and Senior Staff Courses at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2001 and 2005)

Officers’ Long Course (OLC XII) at NNS QUORRA, Apapa Lagos (2003)

United Nations Military Observer Course in Tanzania (2009)

National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, Course 23 (2014)

Appointments Held;

Over the years, Rear Admiral Abbas has served in various key positions across the Nigerian Navy.

He started his career onboard several naval ships as a Watch-Keeping Officer, including NNS ARADU, NNS DAMISA, and NNS AYAM.

He later held positions such as:

Naval Assistant to the Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (1998)

Staff Officer III, Marine Services, Naval Headquarters (2004)

Gunnery Officer, NNS OHUE (2006)

Instructor, NNS QUORRA (2007)

Commanding Officer, Burma Battalion, NDA (2008)

Base Administrative Officer, NNS PATHFINDER

Naval Contingent Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation SAFE HAVEN (2010–2012)

Maritime Guard Commander, NIMASA (2015)

Commander Task Group, Operation TSARE-TEKU (2017)

Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command (2022)

In July 2023, Rear Admiral Abbas was appointed Chief of Naval Safety and Standards (CNASS) at Naval

Headquarters, and in February 2024, became Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations (CDCMR) at Defence Headquarters.

Before his elevation as the 25th Chief of Naval Staff, he served as Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Heritage Centre, in January 2025.

Promotions

Rear Admiral Abbas rose through the ranks with dedication and excellence;

Midshipman – 1996

Lieutenant – 2001

Lieutenant Commander – 2006

Commander – 2006

Navy Captain – 2011

Commodore – 2016

Rear Admiral – September 10, 2020

Awards and Honours

His distinguished service has earned him several honours, including;

Passed Staff Course (PSC)

Fellow Defence College (FDC)

Forces Service Star (FSS)

Meritorious Service Star (MSS)

Distinguished Service Star (DSS)

Grand Service Star (GSS)

Defence General Staff Medal (DGSM)

He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS).

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All You Need to Know About Nigeria’s New Chief of Defence Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede

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October 25, 2025

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Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede (N/9318) NAM CMH GSS psc mni FCM FCMH TSM COM CCA

1. Family background: General Oluyede was born on 21 June 1968 in Ikere-Ekiti in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

2. Education: He attended Holy Trinity Primary School, Ikere-Ekiti, and proceeded to Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, for his secondary education. Thereafter, he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as a member of 39 Regular Course. On completion of his cadet training, he was granted Regular Combatant Commission on 19 December 1992 in the rank of second lieutenant with seniority in the same rank effective 12 September 1987. He is of the Infantry Corps.

3. He became the 29th indigenous Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, first in acting capacity with effect from 30 October 2024 and substantively, in November 2024.

4. Military career: In the course of his meritorious military career, he has attended several courses both at home and abroad where he distinguished himself creditably. Some of these courses include the Young Officers’Course (Infantry) and Regimental Signal Officers’Course as well as Commanding Officers’ Course, all at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji.

He also attended the United Nations Logistics Officers’ Course at the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Centre, Ghana and the United Nations Military Observers’ Course at the now renamed Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, among others.

Similarly, he attended the prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, for his Junior and Senior Staff Courses, and he is a member of the national institute and a proud alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), where he did his Senior Executive Course. He also attended the Strategic Leadership Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

5. Qualifications: He holds both Bachelor and Master of Arts Degrees in Economics from the Nigerian Defence Academy among others. He has also attended and participated in several workshops, seminars and conferences in the course of his career which contributed in preparing him for the highest appointment in the Nigerian Army.

6. Appointments: General Oluyede has served in several formations, units and training institutions where he held command, staff and instructional appointmentswithin his illustrious years of service. Some of these appointments include Platoon Commander and Company Second in Command in 65 Mechanised Battalion and 177 Guards Battalion respectively. He was Platoon Commander and later Officer Commanding in 2 Amphibious Battalion. For his initial instructional experience, he was Instructor and later Senior Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He held the appointment of Staff Officer Grade 1 in Charge of Personnel and Welfare Services as well as Logistics and Operations at different times while serving at Headquarters Joint Task Force (Operation RESTORE HOPE) and Headquarters 82 Division respectively. He also served as Deputy Director Examinations at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command.

He was Chief of Staff at Headquarters 13 Brigade before attending the Senior Executive Course at NIPSS. He was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff Civil-Military Cooperation at Headquarters 1 Division and later Director at Army Headquarters Department of Army Standard and Evaluation. He was Commandant of Amphibious Training School. He was appointed Commander 27 Task Force Brigade under Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East Theatre from where he was made the Acting Commander Sector 2 in the same theatre.

On his promotion to the rank of Major General, he was appointed substantive Commander Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE. Thereafter, he was posted to Nigerian Army Resource Centre and appointed Senior Research Fellow after which he was moved to Army Headquarters Department of Army Policy and Plans and appointed Director Plans.

After a brief stint at the Army Headquarters, he was appointed the General Officer Commanding 6 Division. He was later posted to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, Directorate of Inspection and Compliance and appointed the Director.

7. International/local operations: The seasoned Infantry General has also participated in a number of operations both home and abroad. His posting profile traverses considerable deployments and participation in several Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations as well as Internal Security Operations across the country.Indeed, his military exploits began as a young platooncommander in 65 Mechanised Battalion from where he moved with the unit to participate in the historic Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).

During the ECOMOG operations, he was reported to be full of initiatives and was saddled with the onerous assignment of providing security for the Presidential Lodge, a task he discharged admirably.

He was GOC 6 Division, Officer Commanding in 2 Battalion during the initial militia crisis in Rivers State and also successfully led his company to curb the nefarious activities of the Niger Delta Volunteer Peoples Force,a formidable militant group that threatened the peace and security of Niger Delta region.

8. Awards: He is a recipient of the prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award in Year 2018,
the Nigerian Army Medal (NAM), Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS) and Grand Service Star (GSS).Others include, Passed Staff Course (psc), Member of the National Institute (mni), Field Command Medal(FCM), Field Command Medal of Honour (FCMH), Training Support Medal (TSM) and General Operations Medal (GOM). He is also a holder of the coveted Corps Medal of Honour (CMH) and prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award (CCA).

9. Hobbies: Gen. Oluyede enjoys travelling, playing basketball and volleyball. He is married and blessed with children.

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