Ex-Chief of General Staff Oladipo Diya dies at 79

Former Chief of General Staff under the late General Sani Abacha, Lt. General Oladipo Diya (retd), is dead.

Diya reportedly died on Sunday morning in Lagos from a protracted illness. He was aged 79.

A short statement released by one of his children, Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, confirmed the death of the former military leader.

The statement read, “On behalf of the entire Diya family, home and abroad, we announce the passing on to glory of our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Retd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March, 2023.

“Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

His demise came about two years after he lost his second wife, Deborah Folashade Diya, at the age of 66.

Born in April 3, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari/Idiagbon coup of December 31, 1983.

He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military positions such as GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha.

He was the CGS when he was arrested for planning a coup to unseat Abacha.

He was thereafter condemned to death by firing squad along with Maj.-Gen Abdulkarim Adisa on April 28 1998.

The death sentence was commuted to 25 years in jail. When Abacha died, Diya and others were later released.