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IBB’s book: Family warns against tarnishing Abacha’s image
IBB’s book: Family warns against tarnishing Abacha’s image
The family of the late General Sani Abacha has condemned former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), over claims made in his recently released memoir, A Journey in Service.
The Abacha family accused Babangida of attempting to shift responsibility for the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election onto the late head of state.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Abacha on behalf of the family, they expressed disappointment that the book failed to present an accurate and objective account of past events.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to recent claims made by former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in his newly launched book, A Journey in Service, where he alleged that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was the responsibility of the late General Sani Abacha. These claims have sparked widespread controversy and necessitate a clear response from the immediate family of General Sani Abacha and the entire Abacha clan in the interest of historical accuracy and justice.”
The family argued that Abacha was not the head of state or commander-in-chief at the time of the annulment and that Babangida, as the sitting military president with full executive authority, should take full responsibility for the decision.
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“It is important to state unequivocally that General Sani Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief at the time the June 12 election was annulled. The decision to annul the election was made under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, held absolute executive powers and was solely responsible for the actions of his government. Any attempt to shift this blame onto General Sani Abacha, who was a very senior military officer within the regime, is a deliberate distortion of historical facts,” the statement continued.
The family also emphasized Abacha’s loyalty to Babangida, stating that he ensured the former president’s safety during times of threat.
“Furthermore, we wish to emphasize that despite this unfortunate attempt to shift blame, General Sani Abacha remained a true and loyal friend to General Ibrahim Babangida up to the time of his death. He was a man of unwavering commitment to his comrades. We also find it necessary to state that at the time General Babangida’s life was under threat, it was General Abacha who came to his rescue, ensuring his safety,” the statement added.
The Abacha family urged Nigerians to be cautious of revisionist accounts and thanked those who had spoken out in defence of the late general’s legacy.
“We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to the many Nigerians who have risen in defenve of General Sani Abacha in an effort to set the record straight. Your unwavering commitment to truth and historical accuracy is deeply appreciated, and we acknowledge the outpouring of support from those who refuse to allow history to be distorted,” the statement said.
The family concluded by expressing regret that Babangida’s memoir failed to offer an honest account of Nigeria’s political history.
“We regret that A Journey in Service missed the opportunity and failed to make history as a truthful and objective account of past events. As one public commentator aptly put it, honesty, sincerity, and integrity are virtues not commonly associated with the author.”
IBB’s book: Family warns against tarnishing Abacha’s image
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metro
NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway
NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a woman identified as Aisha Isah after allegedly recovering 266 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition from her along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
The suspect was reportedly arrested at a toll gate during a patrol operation by NDLEA operatives along the busy highway.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
According to the statement, the ammunition recovered from the woman consisted of 266 live rounds meant for an AK-47 rifle.
However, the NDLEA did not disclose where the suspect was travelling from, her intended destination or the circumstances surrounding the possession and transportation of the ammunition.
The arrest comes amid intensified security operations across the country, particularly along major highways and other routes suspected to be used for the movement of illicit substances and other prohibited items.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 68-year-old man, identified as Ifeanyi Egwolonwu, at Gwargwaje in Zaria, Kaduna State, along the Zaria-Kano Expressway.
The suspect was allegedly found with 2,770 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 100 ampoules of diazepam injection, 11,000 tablets of diazepam and 4,500 tablets of Exol-5.
The agency also reported several arrests and major drug seizures in different parts of the country as part of its ongoing operations against drug trafficking and related criminal activities.
The NDLEA has yet to provide further details about the investigation into the alleged ammunition possession by Aisha Isah.
NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway
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metro
How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives
How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives
Suspected bandits have reportedly ambushed and brutalised six members of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Bani community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The attack occurred as the operatives were returning from a meeting in Kaiama town, shortly before reaching Bani community.
The chairman of the private security organisation, Isiak Olayiwola, disclosed details of the incident, describing the attack as heartbreaking and a disturbing development for community-based security efforts in the state.
According to Olayiwola, the six operatives were travelling back to Bani when between 30 and 40 motorcycles carrying armed men suddenly emerged and launched an attack on them.
He said the attackers were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles and other weapons, adding that the security operatives had only two firearms among them for personal protection.
Olayiwola explained that his men were not on a mission to confront any armed group but were simply returning from their meeting when they were ambushed.
He said, “They were returning from a meeting in Kaiama town to Bani when they were ambushed on their way back.”
The security chief added that the attackers opened fire on the operatives shortly before they entered the community.
He expressed gratitude that none of the six members was killed during the attack, attributing their survival to divine intervention.
A video of the incident, which surfaced on October 26, showed the captured operatives sitting on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs while armed men interrogated them.
In the footage, the captors repeatedly questioned the victims about their membership of the Iru Ekun Security Network and their activities in Bani community.
One of the armed men was heard challenging the operatives over what he described as their refusal to heed earlier warnings against associating with the security organisation or accommodating its members in the community.
One of the captives, identified as Jelili Alagbere, who was wearing an Iru Ekun-branded shirt, was questioned about his involvement in the organisation.
Another captive, Yusuf Alagbere, reportedly identified himself as a hunter, explaining that he had been invited by some individuals known as the Elere boys.
A third captive, identified as Rafiu, was also questioned about his identity and connection with the security outfit.
An elderly man among the captives, however, denied belonging to the organisation, insisting that he was not an Iru Ekun member.
Towards the end of the recording, the armed men reportedly asked the captives whether they would continue participating in the organisation’s activities. The victims were heard responding in the negative.
Olayiwola subsequently identified one of the suspected attackers as Sardauna, alleging that he was among those who participated in the shooting and personally recorded the interrogation.
He claimed that Sardauna was holding the phone and conducting the questioning while also opening fire on the security operatives.
The chairman said the video eventually found its way to the security organisation, although the person who recorded it was allegedly unaware that it would reach them.
Meanwhile, Olayiwola commended the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, for his efforts towards securing the rescue of the six operatives.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security situation in parts of Kwara State, particularly the dangers confronting local security groups involved in protecting vulnerable communities against armed attacks and kidnapping.
The development also highlights the growing risks faced by community-based security operatives operating in areas where heavily armed criminal groups reportedly maintain a presence.
How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives
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metro
‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River
‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River
The body of a 14-year-old boy, identified simply as Ogar, has been discovered without his head in a river at Yahe community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The tragic discovery followed the teenager’s disappearance from home, leaving his family and residents of the community in shock.
According to a report by Vanguard, Ogar was last seen on Friday afternoon after returning from school. He reportedly left home shortly after having his meal but failed to return.
His mother, Agnes, said the family became worried when they could not find him and subsequently organised a search.
However, their search ended in tragedy on Saturday afternoon when the boy’s body was discovered in the Yahe River, about one kilometre from the community.
The grieving mother, who reportedly lost her husband three years ago, lamented that her son was her only source of hope.
“I don’t know who did this wicked act to me — my only source of hope after his father died three years ago. His body without the head was found at the river,” she said.
Agnes expressed confusion over how her son ended up in the river, explaining that the water was usually dirty and brownish at this time of the year and was not commonly used for swimming or washing clothes.
She also said she could not establish whether someone had taken the teenager to the river or how he got there.
A classmate of the deceased, identified as Jacob, reportedly said Ogar did not inform him or their other friends that he intended to go anywhere with anybody.
He added that he only learnt about the tragedy after news emerged that the teenager’s body had been discovered.
Meanwhile, a source at the Yahe Police Station confirmed that the incident was being investigated.
The police source, however, declined to provide further details, explaining that the Divisional Police Officer was away in Calabar.
“I can tell you we are investigating the matter,” the source said.
The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, including the whereabouts of his missing head and the identity of those responsible, remain unclear.
Residents are awaiting further details from the police as investigations continue.
‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River
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