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Major Daniel Idowu Bamidele: The Loyal Soldier Betrayed by the System He Served (PHOTOS)

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UNKNOWN TO BAMIDELE AT THE TIME, BUHARI WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF THE COUP HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO ALERT THE ARMY AGAINST.

On March 5, 1986, Major Daniel Idowu Bamidele, a brilliant and decorated officer of the Nigerian Army, was executed by firing squad alongside nine other military personnel. His alleged crime was conspiracy to commit treason linked to the popular “Vatsa Coup” against the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Yet, Bamidele’s story was not that of rebellion, but of a loyal officer punished for remaining silent. His silence was a consequence of an earlier betrayal that had shaken his faith in the very system he served.

Born in 1949, Bamidele joined the Nigerian Army in 1968 during the height of the Nigerian Civil War. He was initially recruited as a non-commissioned officer and was posted to the 12th Commando Brigade, where he fought under Colonel Benjamin Adekunle and later Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo. His competence and leadership on the battlefield earned him a recommendation for officer training, and he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army on July 29, 1970 after completing training at the Nigerian Defence Academy.

In October 1983, during an official trip to Kaduna to print documents for the Chief of Army Staff Conference, Bamidele overheard rumours of a coup being planned to oust President Shehu Shagari. On returning to Jos, he acted promptly and responsibly by reporting the intelligence to his General Officer Commanding, Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Unknown to Bamidele at the time, Buhari was deeply involved in the planning of the coup he was attempting to alert the army against.

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Within days of his report, Bamidele was quietly summoned to Lagos and detained at Tego Barracks by officers of the Directorate of Military Intelligence. He was accused of plotting a coup, the very one he had tried to prevent. Fake witnesses were presented, a mock interrogation was conducted, and false reports were submitted to the National Security Organisation, then under the leadership of Umaru Shinkafi, in an effort to mislead the Shagari government. While the real coup plotters carried on with their plans, Bamidele languished in detention. Eventually, on November 25, 1983, he was released without charge due to the complete absence of evidence against him.

He returned to Jos bewildered by the series of events that had just unfolded. The shocking truth came to light on January 1, 1984 when his former GOC, Major General Muhammadu Buhari whom he had reported the coup plot to announced himself as Nigeria’s new Head of State, having seized power in a military coup, validating everything Bamidele had feared and proving the betrayal he had suffered.

After his experience, Bamidele wisely chose to remain silent about any subsequent coup plots.

In early 1984, Bamidele’s name appeared on a list of officers to be compulsorily retired. When the list was presented to Head of State Buhari for approval, he struck Bamidele’s name off the list, reason unclear, possibly acknowledging the injustice of his prior ordeal. Instead, Bamidele was posted to the Command and Staff College in Jaji as a Directing Staff, where he resumed his duties.

The events that led to his execution began in 1985, following General Babangida’s overthrow of Buhari. Not long after assuming office, Babangida’s intelligence network claimed it had uncovered a plot to remove him from power. At the center of this alleged conspiracy was Major General Mamman Vatsa, Babangida’s childhood friend and then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Bamidele was implicated in the conspiracy based on his attendance at a meeting in a guest house in Makurdi. That meeting included other senior officers such as Lieutenant Colonel Michael Iyorshe, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Bitiyong, Lieutenant Colonel Christian Oche, Wing Commander Ben Ekele, and Wing Commander Adamu Sakaba.

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Although political discussions and criticisms of the Babangida regime took place during the gathering, there was no evidence of operational coup planning. However, Bamidele, still haunted by his 1983 ordeal, chose to remain silent. It was that silence that became the basis for the charge of conspiracy to commit treason.

He was arrested and tried by a Special Military Tribunal. The trial was conducted in secret, with no right of appeal, and little opportunity for fair defense. Despite the absence of clear evidence linking him to any actual plot, Bamidele was found guilty.

Before he was executed, he delivered a powerful, solemn statement, a statement that has since become one of the most quoted last words in Nigerian military history.

He said:

“I heard of the 1983 coup planning, told my GOC General Buhari who detained me for two weeks in Lagos. Instead of a pat on the back, I received a stab. How then do you expect me to report this one? This trial marks the eclipse of my brilliant and unblemished career of 19 years. I fought in the civil war with the ability it pleased God to give me. It is unfortunate that I’m being convicted for something which I have had to stop on two occasions. This is not self-adulation but a sincere summary of the qualities inherent in me. It is an irony of fate that the president of the tribunal who in 1964 felt that I was good enough to take training in the UK is now saddled with the duty of showing me the exit from the force and the world.”

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On March 5, 1986, Major Daniel Idowu Bamidele was executed by firing squad at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison. Among those executed with him were Major General Mamman Vatsa, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Bitiyong, Lieutenant Colonel Christian Oche, Lieutenant Colonel Clement Akale, Lieutenant Colonel M. Parwang, Wing Commander A.A. Togun, Major A.K. Obasa, Wing Commander Ben Ekele, and Wing Commander Adamu Sakaba.

Major Bamidele’s life and death remain a haunting reminder of the dangers faced by soldiers of conscience. His ordeal reflects the cost of honour in a system where truth was expendable and power was absolute. He was a soldier punished for doing the right thing once, and then punished again for refusing to be used.

Today, his name stands as a symbol of tragic integrity, a man who paid the ultimate price for trusting his superiors and remaining loyal to the oath he swore.

Rest in power, Major Daniel Idowu Bamidele. Nigerians will never forget you.

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TikToker Jarvis confirms breakup with Peller, urges public support

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TikTok content creator, Elizabeth Amadou also known as Jarvis, has confirmed that she has ended her relationship with fellow influencer and livestreamer, Hamzat Habeeb, popularly known as Peller, while appealing to the public to stop mocking him following his recent car crash during a livestream.

Jarvis made the disclosure in a live video shared online on Tuesday, amid widespread reactions to Peller’s hospitalisation after the incident on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

Addressing online commentary surrounding the crash and the couple’s relationship, Jarvis said public ridicule was worsening the situation.

“It’s always people will mock me. Because I can see concern about this online. People will mock him, Stop mocking him. Stop shading him,” she said.

She insisted that the incident should not be used to define Peller’s character, stressing that she never portrayed him as a bad person.

Jarvis acknowledged that Peller struggles with emotional control, describing it as the core issue rather than malice.

“Yes, he cannot control his emotions. He cannot control. That’s the problem.

“I can control mine, but he can’t control his. We need to join hands together to help him,” she said.

Confirming that they are no longer together, Jarvis said the breakup was necessary and should not be misconstrued as abandonment.

“Peller is a sweet guy, I do not even want it to even end but it has happened, it has happened.

“The relationship is not the thing now. It’s not saying let’s go back to who we were.

“The solution is let’s put our heads together to work on him.

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“To be better. Not space of we not talking , it is space of this relationship thing. It is over for now,” the influencer said.

She further clarified that the separation was about giving space for healing.

Jarvis also appealed to supporters and social media users to stop what she described as harmful narratives and mockery.

“Stop your shading. How is it helping? It’s not helping.

“Don’t use it against him. Encourage him. Encourage us. Help us. Stop using our pain to mock us,” she said.

Expressing emotional distress, she said the online reactions had deepened the pain surrounding the situation.

Jarvis urged the public to focus on gratitude that no life was lost. She added that her priority was wellbeing for both herself and Peller.

“All you people should be saying is thank God for life. Thank God for Peller. Thank God nothing happened to him.

“I love him, but for now we need to be okay. I’m not okay anymore. I want to be okay.

“He needs to be okay, he needs to be fine,” Jarvis said.

She concluded by noting that breakups do not always stem from hatred but sometimes from a need for clarity and calm.

PUNCH Online had reported that Peller sparked concern on Sunday after crashing his car during a live Instagram broadcast titled “RIP Peller” on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

During the livestream, the influencer was seen driving alone in his newly acquired Mercedes-Benz while visibly distressed and crying during a phone conversation believed to be with Jarvis, amid rumours of a breakup.

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At several points, he appeared agitated and made alarming statements, including, “I will use this car and have an accident right now,” and later, “I’m scared. I’m scared.”

In another moment during the broadcast, he said, “If you break up with me, people will be mocking me… Thank you, I’m going to kill myself.”

Moments later, the vehicle was seen veering off the road before crashing into a stone barrier.

Subsequent videos circulating online showed Peller being assisted by bystanders before he was taken to a hospital.

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Ogun steps in as 60 candidates express interest for Awujale

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Facts emerged on Sunday on why the much-anticipated nomination meeting of candidates for the vacant Awujale stool and paramount ruler of Ijebu land was postponed by the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

The PUNCH also learnt that the number of aspirants seeking to become the next Awujale is not fewer than 60.

Recall that the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, which is next in line to produce the Awujale following the death of the 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona in July 2025, had announced last Thursday that the nomination meeting would be held on Monday.

The announcement was contained in a letter dated December 11, 2025, signed by the family’s spokesman, Abiodun Ogidan.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu-Ode.

The ruling house had outlined strict protocols for the exercise, stressing that only accredited family members would be allowed entry.

It also stated that each aspirant would be represented by two family members, with one nominating the candidate and the other seconding the nomination.

The ruling house further directed that aspirants themselves would not attend the meeting but would be represented by the two accredited family members.

Family members and accredited representatives were also urged to conduct themselves with utmost peace, respect and orderliness befitting the sacred process.

However, in a subsequent statement issued on Friday by the nomination committee, the ruling house announced the postponement of the meeting.

The statement, titled “To All Members of Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Ijebu-Ode,” read: “Due to circumstances beyond the family’s control, the Fusengbuwa Ruling House Awujale Nomination Meeting scheduled for Monday, 15th December 2025, has been postponed. The new date will be announced shortly. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

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Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Sunday, the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Abdulateef Owoyemi, said the meeting was put on hold following an intervention by the state government to prevent procedural errors that could result in litigation.

Owoyemi explained that the postponement was to enable the ruling house to attend a meeting scheduled by the state government on Tuesday to review the process so far and ensure compliance with existing laws.

He dismissed insinuations that the decision was linked to the reported candidature of Fuji musician, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM1), whom the ruling house had previously said was not a member of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and therefore not eligible to contest.

Owoyemi said, “The postponement of the nomination meeting has nothing to do with any individual, far from that.

“What actually happened is that we received a summons from the state government for a meeting on Tuesday. The meeting is to ensure that everything is done correctly so that the selection process does not become a fertile ground for litigation or generate legal controversy.

“It is a process of comparing notes and ensuring that we cross our Ts and dot our Is. We appreciate this because it will help maintain standards and ensure that the process is flawless. There is nothing to worry about.”

Also speaking with The PUNCH on Sunday, the Vice Chairman of the ruling house, Prof Fassy Yusuf, confirmed that both the ruling house and the kingmakers had been invited to a meeting with the government on Tuesday, necessitating the postponement.

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Prof Yusuf added that the number of princes aspiring to succeed the late Awujale was not fewer than 60.

The University of Lagos Professor of Mass Communication said, “There are certain things we have not done, so the government has scheduled a meeting with us for Tuesday. The government will meet with the ruling house, the kingmakers, and the Awujale Interregnum Committee.

“It is to ensure that everything is in order, and it is the outcome of this meeting that will determine when the nomination meeting will be held.

“The postponement has nothing to do with anyone. Anyone saying otherwise is being mischievous and spreading falsehood. So far, about 60 people are in the race to become the next Awujale.”

Efforts to find a successor to the highly revered Oba Adetona, who reigned for 65 years before his death in July, had recently intensified following a directive by the local government giving the ruling house 14 days to submit the names of candidates for the throne.

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Kano summit decries censorship, harassment of content creators

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In response to the growing cases of censorship, harassment, and regulatory pressure faced by performers and content creators across Nigeria, Unchained Vibes Africa on Wednesday held the 2025 Freedom Vibes Summit in Kano.

The event brought together artists, legal practitioners, cultural activists, and government representatives to advocate for stronger protections for creative expression and to groom a new generation of cultural leaders.

The day-long event, themed “Charting a Course for Artistic Freedom and Regulatory Reform in Nigeria,” featured panel discussions, legal clinics, and the graduation of participants from the Freedom Vibes Academy, a three-month hybrid training programme for emerging artists and cultural activists.

This was contained in a statement signed by Saifullahi Ibrahim, popularly known as Dr Pure, Northern representative of Unchained Vibes Africa.

Speaking at the event, Dr Pure said, “We are at a critical moment where creative voices must be protected. Artists are not just entertainers—they are the conscience of society, and their freedom is non-negotiable.”

He added, “Through the Freedom Vibes Academy, we are equipping the next generation of cultural leaders with the tools, knowledge, and networks to navigate regulatory challenges and advocate for artistic freedom effectively.”

Participants included musicians, filmmakers, digital content creators, lawyers, human rights advocates, and policy experts, who deliberated on the shrinking civic space for creative expression in the country.

A major highlight of the summit was the graduation ceremony of the Freedom Vibes Academy. Graduates showcased projects developed through months of virtual mentorship and in-person engagements in Kano, combining artistic creativity with social advocacy.

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Executive producers and mentors commended the graduates for integrating art with civic responsibility, urging them to deploy creative tools to drive social change and public engagement.

Kano-based conscious musician Fresh Amir delivered a performance described by organisers as the emotional peak of the summit, reinforcing the role of artists as social commentators and defenders of public conscience.

Panel discussions focused on legal and regulatory challenges confronting creatives, including the enforcement of local regulations restricting performances and digital content.

Speakers called for legal reforms, clearer regulatory frameworks, and closer collaboration between cultural institutions and human rights organisations.

Participants stressed that safeguarding artistic freedom is central to democracy, freedom of expression, and broader civic rights. Sessions also explored media literacy, digital safety for creators, and strategies for building sustainable creative enterprises.

UVA also highlighted the impact of the Freedom Vibes Academy, as mentees presented final projects centred on community engagement, policy advocacy, and digital campaigning.

Judges praised several initiatives for their innovation, scalability, and social relevance.

In a closing statement, UVA thanked partners, sponsors, and media organisations for supporting the summit and urged policymakers to translate the recommendations into actionable reforms that would protect artists and strengthen Nigeria’s cultural economy.

Organisers disclosed that follow-up workshops and legal clinics would be organised to sustain advocacy for policy reforms agreed at the summit.

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