The lady who was with former military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, when he suddenly passed on, said she didn’t k!ll him, claiming that he d!ed on top of her during intercourse.
A retired security operative, Dennis Amachree, said the lady, an Igbo pharmacist, made the confession when he interrogated her over Abacha’s mysterious d3ath, the Nation reported
Amachree, who gave his own version of Abacha’s last moments, clarified that the former military ruler passed on around 4.05 am on June 8, 1998, at the Aso Villa, Abuja, in the presence of the lady during an intimate affair.
Abacha was Nigeria’s military ruler between November 1993 and July 1998 when he suddenly d!ed at 54.
Given the manner of his d3ath, there were speculations about what k!lled him and the circumstances of his d3ath.
“The lady pharmacist’s account, on whom Abacha apparently had a coitus-induced cardiac arrest, remains the true position, and puts an end to the conspiracy theories and half-truths that have gone viral,” he stressed.
Amachree, who was the Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos State SSS Command, at the time of Abacha’s d3ath, emphasised that “any other narrative is an act of deceit and a disservice to our countrymen and women.”
He made the revelation in his 348-paged book, just released, titled: ‘DSS @40: My journey behind the shield.
The retired Assistant Director of Department of State Services (DSS) said after witnessing Abacha’s d3ath, the lady-pharmacist immediately joined the next flight to Lagos.
‘My team located and brought her to my office. I interrogated her myself. The first thing she said to me was : ‘I did not kill him, he d!ed on top of me.’ After her detailed account, I called the Director in Abuja, and she was immediately flown back,” he said.
Abacha died barely a month before the d3ath of Chief Moshood Abiola, winner of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, on July 7, 1998, who was in Abacha’s custody.
Following the protest and furore that followed Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s annulment of Abiola’s victory, he stepped aside and installed an unelected civilian Chief Ernest Shonekan as interim head of state with General Abacha as defence minister.
Nigerians roundly rejected the arrangement and Gen. Abacha took that advantage to force out Chief Shonekan, barely three months after. Gen. Abacha then became the head of state and a full blown dictator.
Amachree noted that “Abacha’s five and half year rule was a period of extreme authoritarianism and brutal repression, adding that his regime was widely condemned for widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extra-judicial k!llings.”
The author said “the number of political detainees during his tenure reportedly exceeded the total from the entire British colonial period.”
Few days before he d!ed, the dictator received emmisaries from the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) leader, Yasser Arafat.
He also received Pope John Paul 11, who had visited Nigeria to plea for the release of detainees. AkwaIbom News
Indeed, the Pope was the last visitor that Gen. Abacha received.
Amachree acknowledged the enduring speculation and misery surrounding Abacha’s d3ath, consequent upon the conflicting narratives.
Many accounts were published, but few were based on verifiable facts.
“These range from fictional stories of a poisoned apple from disaffected soldiers, to more sensational claims involving foreign intelligence agencies,” he said.
The author disputed the claims of six people, whose narratives never resolved the riddle.
The first is David Orr of The Irish Times. Of his speculation, the author stated: “A journalist’s account cited an unnamed diplomat claiming Abacha was poisoned by a small group of disaffected military officers. While dramatic, this narrative was contradicted by a Nigerian newspaper report citing autopsy results that ruled out poisoning.” AkwaIbom News
Susan Rice’s testimony, Amachree said:” The former US National Security Advisor’s account, while condescending, echoed the widespread rumour that Abacha died in the company of prostitutes, possibly due to Viagra use. This version, while popular, lacks concrete evidence and is dismissed by those close to the late Head of State.”
He also rejected Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha’s account, saying: “As Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, his account is often considered a key source, though it contains notable inconsistencies. He claimed Abacha’s health collapsed after a handshake with a security guard of a visiting dignitary. This version, while exonerating the “poisoned apple” theory, differs significantly from other timelines and accounts.”
Also dismissing the late Gen. Jeremiah Useni’s suggestions, Amachree said: “A close friend of Abacha, Useni’s narrative provides a different timeline of events, contradicting Al-Mustapha’s account regarding the final hours. He supported the official story of d3ath by natural causes, citing autopsy results from multiple countries.”
The opinion of a medical officer, Brig-General Oviemo Ovadje, was also rejected.
“His account offers a different perspective, suggesting Abacha’s d3ath was a result of long- term health issues exacerbated by poor medical management, including the use of steroids.”
The author dismissed Femi Fani-Kayode’s speculation. He said the former Aviation Minister’s social media posts present a conspiracy theory alleging a CIA-orchestrated plot involving a poisoned handshake, with the complicity of other former Nigerian leaders. AkwaIbom News
“While lacking evidence, this narrative highlights the deep-seated public distrust and willingness to believe external forces are pulling the strings.”
Amachree said the most sensational of these stories of imported Indian prostitutes, a poisoned apple, and CIA involvement have been widely circulated, muddying the historical record.
He said he therefore, decided to clarify the authentic and accurate fact.
“As a security professional who was in the thick of it, I feel compelled to set the record straight and provide the true narrative for posterity,” the author added.
The most important account was that of Al-Mustapha, being the closest officer to him.
He has consistently tried to defend his late boss’ image, attributing his d3ath to a mysterious handshake from a foreign security operative.
The author claimed that Abacha’s health declined after shaking hands with a member of PLO leader Yasser Arafat’s entourage on June 8.
According to his account, Abacha was stabilised by a doctor at 6pm and was receiving visitors until Gen. Useni left at 3.35pm the following day.
Al- Mustapha’s explanation ends there, claiming he went home to rest and was only alerted to Abacha’s instability at 5 am.
Amachree insisted that Al-Mustapha’s account has a critical gap, stressing that “ he missed the one and half window after Gen. Useni’s departure that provides the key to the mystery.”
In paragraph five of page 250 sub-titled: ‘The final hours,’ the retired Assistant DSS Director gave a full details of Abacha’s last moments.
“At approximately 2.40 am, shortly after Gen. Useni left, Abacha’s girlfriend, an Igbo lady (name withheld), arrived at the Aso Rock Guest House from the Nicon Nogs Hilton Hotel,” the paragraph reads.
“With her was her younger sister, a pharmacist who was in Abuja for a conference. The Head of State had just bought his girlfriend a new SUV, and they decided to stop by to say hello to “ Oga.”
“Abacha was taken with the younger sister, and after a short while, the girlfriend returned to the hotel, leaving the pharmacist alone with the Head of State.
“At about 4.05 am, as they were getting intimate, the pharmacist realized Abacha had stopped moving. She called out to him, but he was unresponsive and stiff. She checked his pulse; there was none.”
In a state of panic, she quickly dressed and left the guest house, telling the soldier in guard duty that “Oga” had asked for a car to take her back to her hotel.
The soldier, unaware of the gravity of the situation, promptly arranged for her transportation. She returned to the Hilton, and after telling her sister what had happened, was quickly driven to the Abuja Airport to catch the 7. am Okada Airline flight to Lagos.
“This is the window Major Al-Mustapha missed. When he was finally informed of Abacha’s instability at 5 am, he asked who had been with the General. He was told about the girlfriend’s younger sister, whom they had just dropped off at the Hilton. The State Security Service (SSS) was immediately informed and went to the Hilton to arrest the girlfriend, but the pharmacist they urgently needed was already on her way to Lagos.”
In paragraph five of page 251 sub-titled: ‘The interrogation and the truth,’ Amachree stated: “At approximately 8 am on June 9, 1998, as the Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos State SSS Command, I received a call from the Director of Operations at SSS National Headquarters. He informed me of Abacha’s d3ath and ordered me to send operatives to an address in Ogudu, Lagos, to arrest a young pharmacist.
“A team located and brought her to my office. I interrogated her myself. The first thing she said to me was: “I did not k!ll him, he d!ed on top of me.” After her detailed account, I called the Director in Abuja, and she was immediately flown back.”
Amachree recalled that “later that day, the news broke, and the media, with their “fertile imagination,” began to spin takes of imported Indian girls and poisoned apples.” LifestyleNews Feed
Alluding to what he described as the broader implications of the falsehood, he said: “The confusion surrounding Abacha’s d3ath is a microcosm of a larger problem in Nigeria: a leadership culture steeped in falsehood and a lack of accountability.
He added that “ the deliberate suppression of facts and the promotion of misinformation by those who should be held to a higher standard have kept the country in a retrogressive circle.”
Amachree warned that power is transient and no condition is permanent.
He said: “Abacha, a military dictator who surrounded himself with a seemingly impenetrable security detail, thought he was invincible. Yet, in the end, death kept it’s appointment with him, rendering his concentric rings of security useless.
“The story is a poignant reminder that power is transient and that no amount of security can shield a leader from their ultimate fate.”
The author raised some puzzles: why did the Generals, close aides and politicians deliberately propagate false narratives about Abacha’s d3ath? Who fed the media with these fake stories?
Warning against fabrications, Amachree said: “While the truth may be suppressed temporarily, the forces of human curiosity and investigative inquiry will ultimately bring it to light.”
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has apologised to the Igbo community for the role the state played during the Nigerian Civil War, saying the people of Plateau were “deceived” into participating in the conflict.
Speaking during an interactive session with Igbo leaders from the 17 local government areas of the state at the Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, Mutfwang urged both sides to put the painful chapter behind them and strengthen the bonds of unity.
According to a report by The Guardian on Monday, the governor commended the Igbo community for its contributions to Plateau State’s socio-economic development, describing them as an integral part of the state’s growth and prosperity.
He noted that Plateau had remained one of the most accommodating states for the Igbo people since the end of the civil war and recalled that compensation had been paid for some of the losses suffered during the conflict.
“I apologise to the Igbos so that we can put the past behind us and continue to foster unity. We have become one family because our people were deceived into going to war, and we regret it. We must close that chapter and move forward.
“We must unite. We want the Igbos to regard us as their brothers and sisters, and together we must create an enabling environment where everyone can prosper,” Mutfwang said.
The governor also appealed to Igbo entrepreneurs in Plateau State to support indigenous businesses by creating opportunities for young people through mentorship and investment.
“Nigeria is a great country, and no ethnic group has demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit more than the Igbo. I encourage you to replicate that same spirit in Plateau. I also appeal to Igbo business owners to employ and train young Plateau indigenes,” he said.
During the meeting, leaders of the Igbo community endorsed Mutfwang for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election, citing what they described as his inclusive leadership, prudent management of resources and commitment to peaceful coexistence.
The endorsement was announced by the President-General of the Igbo Community in Plateau State, Chief Chidi Onah, who described the governor as a leader committed to equity and development.
“We hereby endorse Governor Caleb Mutfwang as the consensus candidate of the Igbo community for the 2027 governorship election. This endorsement is based on his competence, integrity, proven leadership and commitment to equity.
“He has promoted peaceful coexistence and created a business-friendly environment. He stood by us during the demise of our traditional ruler and has consistently engaged stakeholders to promote unity among the diverse ethnic groups in Plateau State,” Onah said.
Onah also praised the governor’s developmental efforts, saying the state had become more conducive for business and investment.
“Igbo people have lived in Plateau since before Nigeria’s independence. We appreciate the governor for compensating some of our members over disputed properties and urge Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides to support his administration,” he added.
Also speaking, former President-General of the Igbo Community Association, Mike Okunonke, described the Igbo as peace-loving people committed to the economic development of Plateau State.
He said the community’s support for Mutfwang was based on his performance rather than political affiliation.
“We will vote for personalities, not political parties. Governor Mutfwang has demonstrated capacity by creating opportunities and reducing unemployment. We will mobilise our members across the 17 local government areas to support him,” Okunonke said.
He added that the endorsement reflected the cordial relationship the governor had built with the Igbo community through genuine partnership and inclusiveness.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Igbo Affairs, Barr. Jonah Okechukwu Ezekweme, commended Mutfwang for creating an enabling environment for the Igbo community to thrive in the state.
He urged members of the community to support the governor’s second-term bid while continuing to partner with the state government in creating employment and business opportunities for young people.
Earlier, High Chief Felix O. Akpunku welcomed members of the Igbo community on behalf of the governor and praised Mutfwang’s developmental projects across the state, describing his administration as one committed to inclusive governance and sustainable development.
The meeting also featured the formal presentation of the new President-General of the Igbo Community Association, Chief Chidi Onah, by the immediate past President-General, Chief Mike Ifeanyi Okunonke.
Other speakers, including Chief Dr. Nelson Mkparu and Hon. Maureen Odilimuo, also lauded the governor for his inclusive leadership and support for the Igbo community, pledging continued cooperation with his administration.
The meeting ended with both the Plateau State Government and the Igbo community reaffirming their commitment to peaceful coexistence, deeper collaboration and sustainable development across the state.
Twenty-three persons have been rescued, while eight bodies have been recovered from Sunday’s boat accident that claimed 40 passengers in Jigawa State.
The incident occurred at Malamawar-Yan Dutse in Ringim Local Government Area, where a wooden boat conveying about 40 passengers, mostly female farmers and labourers, capsized while crossing a waterway.
Boat accidents have remained a recurring tragedy in riverine communities across northern Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season, often attributed to overloading, failure to use life jackets and strong water currents.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, confirmed the latest casualty figure to The PUNCH on Monday.
He said search and rescue operations continued for the remaining nine passengers.
“At the moment, we have successfully rescued 23 victims alive. Unfortunately, we have also recovered eight corpses from the river,” Adam said.
He explained that local divers, emergency responders and security personnel had been at the scene since the incident occurred to rescue survivors and recover bodies.
According to him, all the rescued victims received medical attention and were subsequently discharged.
“Those rescued are now safe at their homes as they were discharged to reunite with their families,” he said.
Adam added that the search for the remaining nine passengers would continue on Tuesday.
“We are not relenting. Our teams are combing the river and adjoining communities to ensure we find the remaining nine persons,” he said.
He appealed to residents of riverine communities to assist security agencies with useful information that could aid the rescue operation.
