Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to late General Sani Abacha, on Thursday said there were eight attempts to topple the late military dictator before he died in 1998.
Al-Mustapha told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation in an interview that the world only knows of three coup attempts that his boss survived.
“Let me tell you something about Abacha, eight coups were staged to topple him before he died,” he said.
“Nigerians knew of only three coup attempts against Abacha, but there were eight coup attempts. He died when they were plotting the eighth.”
Al-Mustapha said Nigerians should query leaders who looted billions of naira after Abacha’s death.
“I am surprised by the way Abacha is being blackmailed. I am surprised because when he assumed leadership, Nigeria had less than $2bn in the foreign reserve,” he said.
“But within four years and eight months, he raised it to over $9bn. After his death, all the billions vanished in nine months.
“The person that raised Nigeria’s image and enhanced security is now the subject of insult. But those who shared the money he left are still alive and untouchable.”
The former CSO also said that Abacha did not unilaterally stash funds in foreign bank accounts.
According to him, the decision was reached after a meeting of stakeholders, including monarchs from all over the country.
