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IBB reveals why they toppled Buhari govt

Published

2 years ago

February 24, 2025

Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida

IBB reveals why they toppled Buhari govt

Former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) has explained the reasons for the overthrow of General Muhammadu Buhari’s regime in 1985 as well as the subsequent drastic economic reforms, including the devaluation of the naira.

Babangida, who served as the Chief of Army Staff under Buhari and played a key role in the 1983 coup that brought him to power, provided a detailed account of the events in his autobiography, A Journey in Service.

The 420-page book, released on Thursday, has sparked controversy, particularly regarding key issues that shaped Babangida’s eight-year rule, including the annulment of the June 12 presidential election; the assassination of foremost journalist, Dele Giwa; and the execution of Major General Mamman Vatsa over an alleged coup plot.

‘The 1985 coup was a necessary intervention’

In Chapter Six, titled Mounting the Saddle, Defining a Military Presidency, Babangida justified the 1985 coup, describing it as a response to national discontent and the deteriorating state of affairs.

“By the beginning of 1985, the citizenry had become apprehensive about the future of our country. The atmosphere was precarious and fraught with ominous signs of clear and present danger. It was clear to the more discerning leadership of the armed forces that our initial rescue mission of 1983 had largely miscarried,” he wrote.

He argued that failure to act would have led to a split within the armed forces, which he believed would have had disastrous consequences for the country.

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“If the armed forces imploded, the nation would go with it, and the end was just too frightening to contemplate,” he stated.

He noted that while the military had initially taken over in 1983 with a shared sense of purpose, divisions had begun to emerge within the ranks.

“In state affairs, the armed forces, as the only remaining institution of national cohesion, were becoming torn into factions; something needed to be done lest we lose the nation itself. My greatest fear was that division of opinion and views within the armed forces could lead to factionalisation in the military. If allowed to continue and gain root, grave dangers lay ahead,” Babangida added.

He accused Buhari and his deputy, Brigadier General Tunde Idiagbon, of isolating themselves from the military establishment and adopting a rigid, authoritarian approach to governance.

“They both posited a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, antagonising the civil populace against the military. Fundamental rights and freedoms were being routinely infringed upon and abused,” Babangida wrote.

According to him, the Buhari administration ruled by fear rather than foster trust and hope among the people.

“We were supposed to improve their lives and imbue the people with hope for a better future. Instead, we ruled the nation with a series of draconian decrees. An administration intended to reflect the collective will of the armed forces as a national institution came to be seen as the private personal autocracy of a stubborn few,” he wrote.

‘Buhari’s resort to ancient barter trade system worsened economic hardship’

Babangida also cited worsening economic conditions and public dissatisfaction as factors that made the coup inevitable.

“Like most military coups, our leadership change was informed by widespread disquiet among the civil populace. Ordinary people were experiencing severe economic hardship. The general economic and social conditions the people lived under were worsening by the day. Essential goods and supplies were scarce. Yet arbitrary controls in all aspects of economic life assnd an ancient resort to barter in international trade meant that the nation’s financial woes would not end soon,” he wrote.

Draconian decrees, he said, had severely restricted individual freedoms, while justice was often mechanical and harsh.

“Punishment for crimes against the state had led to the pursuit of mechanical legalistic justice against the dictates of natural justice,” he noted.

As Chief of Army Staff, Babangida said he was under pressure from junior officers to take action to prevent further erosion of the military’s credibility.

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“On several occasions and instances, even the very integrity of the armed forces was being called into question,” he wrote.

He described how disciplinary actions were taken against senior officers without due process, which led him to consider resigning.

“A disciplinary case involving allegations of divided interest against some senior officers was decided without due recourse to the Army Council. Instead of waiting for a report and investigation from the Army leadership, the affected officers were unceremoniously relieved of their commission, and their military career of so many years was abruptly ended without any input from the Army as their institution of origin. I objected to this arbitrariness and disregard for due process,” he wrote.

His decision to oppose these actions, he said, led to him being placed under surveillance “with the privacy of my communications and those of my family constantly monitored.”

“This tense atmosphere culminated in the unanimous decision of a broad spectrum of senior and middle-level officers to change the nation’s leadership. The processes associated with this change were completed without bloodshed by midnight on August 26, 1985,” Babangida stated.

A Washington Post report on August 27, 1985, quoted Babangida as saying that the Buhari government had been “too rigid and uncompromising,” had failed to end “economic mismanagement,” and had caused “intolerable suffering.”

Why we devalued the Naira

One of the most controversial decisions of Babangida’s regime was the devaluation of the naira. In Chapter Seven, titled Reforming the Economy: Privatisation, IMF, SAP, and other Matters, he explained why his government implemented this policy.

Babangida argued that the Buhari administration’s approach of setting an artificial exchange rate had severely distorted the economy.

“The primary cause of the crisis in the economy itself was a total mismatch of supply and demand. The shortage in the supply of essential goods was occasioned by uncertain access to foreign exchange,” he wrote.

He criticised Buhari’s policy of fixing the exchange rate at a subsidised level, saying it created unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for businesses and individuals.

“Importers, manufacturers, government goods and services, and the general public could only access foreign exchange through the red tape of a bureaucracy that needed to be more transparent,” he wrote.

He also criticised Buhari’s crackdown on individuals carrying foreign currency, referencing the arrests of musician Fela Kuti and businessman Chief Harold Shodipo.

“I must confess that I felt assaulted and hurt that my predecessor had arrested, detained and harassed some prominent Nigerians because they were found at the airport travelling with a few dollars or pounds sterling,” he wrote.

According to him, his government needed to “quickly remove the government from the role of an enormous money changer to that of an enabler of the appropriate economic environment.”

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To address these challenges, Babangida’s administration introduced a deregulated foreign exchange market.

“We decided to deregulate the foreign exchange market by floating the exchange rate instead of fixing it at a predetermined level by government fiat,” he explained.

Although the naira weakened in value, Babangida maintained that the policy allowed for a more realistic exchange rate based on market forces.

“We were satisfied that the demand and supply of foreign exchange determined the exchange rate. At least foreign exchange stopped being a deity to be worshipped by all and sundry since it could now be accessed more liberally,” he wrote.

IBB justifies privatisation and economic liberalisation

Babangida also defended his government’s decision to privatise state-owned enterprises, arguing that excessive government control had stifled economic growth.

“On a macroeconomic level, we needed to free the commanding heights of economic activity from the stranglehold of government so that competition among players could engender a more excellent supply of goods and services among competitive players,” he wrote.

He noted that government-run enterprises had become “massive drains on the economy” and were not profitable.

“If we could free the economy from excessive regulation and government control, the economy would operate more efficiently,” he argued.

Babangida said his administration believed Nigerians would prefer to pay higher prices for goods rather than face persistent shortages and long queues.

“Our perception of the familiar feeling among most Nigerians was that they would prefer to pay a little more for essential goods and services and be spared the humiliation of endless queues and incurable scarcity,” he wrote.

By liberalising access to foreign exchange and reducing government control, Babangida said his administration ended commodity shortages and queues.

“It was a hard choice. Our people had to choose between waiting endlessly in queues for goods that needed to be more forthcoming or paying a little more for instantly available supplies of goods and services. The logic of the open market prevailed,” he concluded.

When contacted for reactions to the allegations by Babangida, the former Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, could not be reached on his mobile telephone line. He also did not reply a text message sent to him.

IBB reveals why they toppled Buhari govt

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How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

Published

5 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

A 50-year-old suspected child trafficker, Adejoke Popoola, has confessed to selling a newborn boy and a set of twins she gave birth to before stealing at least 13 other children for onward sale, in a case that has uncovered an interstate trafficking syndicate operating across Oyo, Ogun and Delta States.

Popoola, also known as Orente Alagbo, made the startling disclosure on Monday while speaking with journalists at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Ibadan, following her arrest on August 4. She claimed she had been involved in the alleged activities since October 2024, after her herb-selling business was gutted by fire, which she said pushed her into the illicit trade as a means of survival.

Popoola stated that she sold a newborn baby boy and a set of male twins, with the twins sold to a clinic in Ogeere for ₦300,000. She said she sometimes received between N80,000 and N120,000 for other children, and up to N900,000 for some victims, depending on the age and gender of the child. “God blessed me with the gift of pregnancy. Anytime a man has sex with me twice, I get pregnant, and it is always difficult to abort,” she said. “I have sold two sets of children, a newborn boy and twins as well, last year. I sold the twins to … clinic; she also resells them to her customers in Lagos. She has a baby industry. When the owner of the pregnancy rejects the pregnancy, that is when I sell.” Popoola, who said she has seven children of her own aged between six and 34, added that she became involved in the alleged operation after meeting a woman she identified as Oluwakemi, who she said operated a “baby industry” and supplied children to buyers in Lagos, revealing the existence of a well-organized trafficking network.

The suspect also admitted to stealing children through various deceptive methods. She explained that she would sometimes disguise herself as a prospective tenant to gain access to homes before taking children when their parents were not around. “I steal babies. I will go to their place and say I want to rent a house. Then, if I do not see anyone, if I see their children, I will just steal their children,” she said. Popoola claimed that a woman she worked with at Ogeere Market taught her how to steal children, providing her with the skills and confidence to carry out the abductions. She further alleged that she sometimes posed as a spiritualist, targeting parents with children living with disabilities, preying on their desperation for healing. “Parents bring their disabled children to me because they cannot talk, sit, or walk. So, I will promise them that I can help them to heal, then I will go and pick another person’s child for them,” she said, revealing a particularly cruel method of operation.

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One of the most chilling incidents she recounted involved the abduction of three-year-old Ifakunle Ifagbenro during an Egungun festival in Oyo Town on June 29. She said she travelled to the festival two days earlier, joined the family during prayers and even contributed money to gain their trust before volunteering to carry the boy during the procession. “When the Egungun left, the boy told his mother that he did not want to stay at home and wanted to join the procession. So, I volunteered to help hold the boy,” she said. “I joined them for the procession and, in the evening, I picked up the boy, laid him on my back and ran away with him.” She claimed she received N900,000 for selling Ifagbenlo, making him one of her most lucrative targets.

Popoola claimed that of the children she allegedly kidnapped, six had died while 17 were rescued by police. The deceased children were identified as Musharaf Lawal Tajudeen, two; Greatness Adeagbo, five; Sainat Amoo, two; Taiwo Usman, two; Daniel Solomon Olayinka, seven; and Miracle Olaniyi, four. She explained that some of the children died due to illness or neglect while in custody, while others reportedly succumbed to the harsh conditions in which they were kept.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, said the investigation began with a petition dated July 29, 2026, submitted by Popoola herself over allegations including conspiracy, cyberbullying, threat to life and defamation. Detectives later linked the case to the disappearance of Ifakunle during the masquerade festival, as video footage from the event showed Popoola carrying the child moments before he vanished. Popoola was arrested on August 4, and her statement provided the first major breakthrough in dismantling the syndicate. She allegedly named Adekanbi Janet, also known as Hosanna, as her accomplice. Janet was arrested in Mowe, Ogun State, where four children and two pregnant young women were rescued from her custody, revealing the scale of the operation.

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The investigation later extended to Agbor, Delta State, where four children allegedly stolen from Oyo State were rescued from persons suspected to have bought them. Two suspects, Christopher Joy, 48, and Rosemary Jesse, 53, were arrested and allegedly confessed to involvement in the trafficking network, confirming the interstate dimension of the criminal enterprise. The investigation also uncovered an alleged ritual dimension, with suspects confessing that children who died in custody were sold to ritualists. This led to the arrest of Muritala Fasasi, an Islamic cleric, and Yakubu Azeez, a herbalist, who were allegedly involved in purchasing the bodies of deceased children for ritual purposes.

The police said it has so far rescued 17 children and arrested seven suspects in connection with the investigation. The rescued children include Ifakunle Ifagbenro, 3; Musibau Olasupo, 5; Sulaimon Osamo, 7; Murina Fidaus, 3; Aminat Yusuf, 3; Taiwo Olamilekan, 3; an infant aged nine days; Rafiat Waheed Babalola, 2; Quwiyat Alade, 5; Rejoice Divine, 3; Alhaji Divine, 5; Eniolorunda, 3; Victoria, 3; Isoma Prince, 3; Roqeeba, 4; Boluwatife Odedeyi, 3; and Ireoluwa Elizabeth Olapade, 7. The CP urged parents and guardians whose children recently went missing to visit the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, to identify the rescued children and facilitate their reunification with their families, as some of the children have yet to be claimed.

How I Sold My Twins for N300,000, Stole 13 Other Children — Suspect

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No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

Published

6 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

The Nigerian Immigration Service has launched a fully digital passport renewal system, allowing eligible Nigerians abroad to complete the process remotely without visiting an embassy for biometric enrolment. Processing time has reportedly dropped to between five days and two weeks.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially rolled out its Contactless Passport Application System, a digital platform designed to make passport renewal faster, easier and more convenient for eligible Nigerians in the diaspora. Under the new system, applicants can complete and track their applications online without visiting an embassy for biometric enrolment, using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth for secure identity verification. The system has been met with widespread praise from Nigerians abroad, who say the reform has effectively ended years of frustrating delays and cumbersome procedures that previously forced applicants to wait for months and travel long distances. A Nigerian community leader in Birmingham, Timileyin Gbenga, described the difference as “night and day,” noting that renewal times have dropped from more than six months to less than two weeks, with some applicants even reporting receiving their passports within five days.

To begin the process, applicants are required to visit the official NIS Passport Application portal. Select “Continue” on the welcome page, then click “Apply for Renewal or Re-issue” to start the application. The portal is the only official channel for initiating the contactless renewal process, and applicants should ensure they are using the correct website to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

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Applicants should create an account and verify their identity using their National Identification Number (NIN) and date of birth. After successful verification, they must complete the application form, select their preferred processing embassy or high commission, and upload all required supporting documents, which typically include passport photographs, proof of residence abroad, and copies of the current passport data page.

After completing the form and uploading documents, applicants must pay the passport booklet fee for their selected passport type, with fees varying depending on the number of pages and processing speed chosen. Upon successful payment, they will receive an Application ID and Reference Number, which should be kept safe as these details will be needed throughout the application process. Applicants are advised to save these numbers in multiple locations to avoid losing access to their application.

After submitting the application, applicants can choose between a regular physical appointment and the new contactless passport renewal service. Those who qualify should select “Opt in for Contactless” under the application status or appointment section of the portal. A guide explaining the process will then be provided, walking applicants through the remaining steps of the digital renewal process.

The next step involves downloading the NIS Mobile App, which is available for download on official app stores for both Android and iOS devices. Within the app, applicants should log in or create a profile, select “Passport Application Services,” and then choose “Passport Biometrics Enrolment.” They will need to enter their Application ID and Reference Number into the app to link their mobile enrolment to their existing application.

The app will first check whether they are eligible for the contactless process. If eligible, they will be guided through capturing their facial image and fingerprints directly on their phone before submitting the biometrics for review. The app uses advanced liveness detection technology to ensure the captured face is real and not a photograph or video replay, adding an extra layer of security to prevent identity fraud.

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Once the biometrics have been reviewed successfully and the applicant is confirmed eligible, they will be asked to pay the contactless service fee, which covers the cost of the enhanced digital processing. After payment, applicants should complete the liveness verification and submit their biometric details electronically, finalizing the digital portion of the application.

The NIS clarified that the contactless option is not available to every applicant. Applicants who are found ineligible after verification will be required to return to the application portal and schedule a physical appointment at their chosen Nigerian embassy or high commission. “If the response is INELIGIBLE, then it means the applicant should return to the landing page of the portal to book a physical appointment at the Embassy/High Commission,” the Service stated, ensuring that all applicants understand the available alternatives.

Even after completing the online and biometric processes, applicants will still need to print their completed application form, passport payment receipt, and biometric payment receipt. These documents, along with their current Nigerian passport, should be placed inside a self-addressed return envelope and mailed to the embassy or high commission handling the application. This step is essential to facilitate passport production and return, and applicants should ensure their return envelope has sufficient postage to avoid delivery delays.

Applicants can begin tracking the status of their passport about two weeks after submission through either the tracking portal or the NIS Mobile App. The NIS advised applicants to monitor the progress of their passport renewal after submission using the online passport tracking platform, which provides real-time updates on the status of their application from processing to dispatch.

The NIS has clarified that Nigerians abroad do not need a valid passport to travel back to Nigeria. According to the agency, Nigerians can return home with an expired passport and renew it after arriving in the country. This clarification comes as many Nigerians in the diaspora prepare for end-of-year trips home, with the NIS encouraging those travelling during the December season to take advantage of their stay in Nigeria to process passport renewal, potentially bypassing the international processing system entirely.

The Federal Government has deployed a dedicated Passport Intervention Team from the NIS headquarters to the United Kingdom to process and clear all pending, new, and renewal passport applications. The NIS confirmed that the contactless passport application platform remains fully operational alongside the intervention exercise, ensuring that applicants have multiple pathways to secure their travel documents.

Applicants are advised to use only official Nigerian Immigration Service channels when applying for or renewing their passports to avoid fraud. The NIS Mobile App is available for download on official app stores, and all user information is securely encrypted and handled in compliance with international standards, giving applicants peace of mind that their personal data is protected throughout the process.

No More Embassy Visits: Step-by-Step Guide to Nigeria’s Contactless Passport Renewal

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Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin

Published

6 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Lagos police arrest four suspected robbers, recover 25 phones in Mushin

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of an alleged armed robbery syndicate operating around the Iju-Ishaga and Oke-Aro areas of Lagos State, recovering 25 mobile phones and other items during a raid on their hideout.

The suspects were arrested at their alleged hideout in Idi-Oro, Mushin, following what the police described as credible intelligence and sustained surveillance by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

The suspects were identified as Damilare Oluwatobi, 28; Lekan Adenuga, 30; Haruna Sheriff, 22; and David Balogun, 24.

According to the police, the operation followed intelligence gathered on the activities of the alleged robbery syndicate, which was reportedly linked to criminal operations in parts of Lagos.

During a search of the hideout, VCRU operatives recovered 25 mobile phones, two laptop computers, gold jewellery, including a necklace and earrings, and three cutlasses.

The police described the arrests as a significant development in efforts to tackle armed robbery and violent crime in Lagos, while investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the recovered items and identify their owners.

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The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation. The Command also said efforts were being intensified to apprehend other suspected members of the alleged syndicate who may be connected to the criminal activities.

The development was confirmed by the Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, who said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the VCRU following sustained intelligence gathering.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the VCRU operatives for their swift response and intelligence-led approach, describing the operation as part of the Command’s broader efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the state.

Fatai reaffirmed the police commitment to protecting residents and tackling criminal activities, particularly armed robbery and other violent crimes.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police through the Command’s emergency lines.

The police listed the emergency contacts as 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.

The latest arrests come as the Lagos Police Command continues to rely on intelligence-led operations to identify and disrupt criminal groups operating across the state.

The four suspects remain in custody while the investigation continues, with the police expected to determine the extent of their alleged involvement and pursue other individuals suspected to be connected to the syndicate.