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IBB Opens Up On Dele Giwa’s Death And 159 Officers On Crashed Plane

Published

3 years ago

July 16, 2023

Former Nigerian President Ibrahim Babangida Breaks Silence on Tragic Military Plane Crash and Dele Giwa’s Assassination.

Thirty-one years after a military plane crash in which more than 159 officers lost their lives in Ejirin swamp in Lagos in 1992, then military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) has finally spoken on the ill-fated incident.

During an exclusive interview featured in the inaugural edition of The Interview magazine, Babangida revealed that, based on maintenance concerns and the aircraft’s accumulated flying hours, the crashed plane should not have been operational on that particular day.

In response to The Interview’s inquiry about the events leading up to the crash and whether a thorough investigation was conducted, the 82-year-old former president affirmed that an investigation did take place and the incident was duly reported. However, he lamented that certain individuals and the public had preconceived notions, which hindered genuine interest in the investigation report.

Babangida emphasized that the investigation had indeed occurred and concluded that the aircraft’s flight was in violation of mandatory stages, flying hour limits, and maintenance requirements. It was evident that crucial protocols and procedures had not been adhered to.

When he was asked on what happened to the people who authorized the plane to fly on that ill-fated day, Babangida said there was no penalty meted out, adding: “They ought to have been punished. I know that blame was apportioned. I wouldn’t know about the punishment. We investigated; we even apportioned blame but no penalty.” On why that was so, he simply remarked, “That is the Nigerian factor.”

Responding to inquiries on who killed renowned journalist, Dele Giwa who died from a parcel bomb blast, Babangida said, “A Bomb”.

When asked in the interview on who sent the bomb, he replied: “Would you ever think somebody could sit and ask a soldier or anybody, go and kill that man?”

Upon the interviewer’s response that “It depends….”, IBB was quoted to have replied: “It depends on who? If what you hear about other African leaders is anything to go by, you are right to believe that it could happen because of what happened in the case of the Mobutus of this world.

But there is also one human being who believes in God, who believes you cannot take away life, who believes that God forbids you to do that, who believes that God created you equally. Somebody of that nature cannot, in all fairness order the execution or killing of another person.”

When he was pressed on his relationship with late Dele Giwa, Babangida replied: “We were friends. Very soon, somebody is going to accuse me of saying he is my friend. I knew him very closely. I have correspondence between him and me. But that is not enough for you to believe that we were friends. What is enough is that I took a bomb and killed him.”

When The Interview countered that “There was a general feeling that he knew a lot of military guys and knew more than he was supposed to know….”, IBB cut in..

”That he knew we were dealing in drugs and Gloria Okon. Somebody should have come out with it by now. He must have left some manuscripts.”

When he was asked if he suppressed the investigation, the former president replied,

“There was a report on that investigation if you may be interested to know.”

On the interviewer’s remark that witnesses in the investigation were apparently hidden, Babangida replied, “No. Most of what you guys talked about was fictitious. Even one of the persons you guys said was involved does not seem to exist. Gloria Okon; she does not seem to be in existence.

And then you came out with, what is the name of the other girl who was supposed to be my wife’s friend? She was in prison or something; you came out with that one. There is virtually no truth in it all. People are not very good in putting stories together to make it look credible. They only make it look fantastic.

If you are dealing with an idiot, of course you can do anything. But you deal with a man who thinks, a man who tries to rationalize”.

On Saturday, September 26, 1992, a Nigerian Air Force Hercules C-130 (NAF 911) transport plane, carrying more than 200 persons, took off at 5:27 pm from the Runway 19 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with its destination the city of Kaduna in northern Nigeria.

However, a few minutes after take-off, the heavy-laden plane, which was said to be carrying not just the military boys and girls but young students of the Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria, alongside civilians, relations and friends of military officers, developed a fault and nose-dived into the deep swamp not too far from the Lagos State Low Cost Housing Estate, Ejigbo to the Festac Town, Lagos, killing all those onboard.

In the crash officers of the 19, 20, 21 and 22 Regular Courses of the Nigerian Defence Academy were badly hit. A list of 159 names of those officially listed as passengers of the C-130H was released on October 1 by the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Fred Chijuka.

The list was made up of seven Lieutenant Colonels, 96 Majors, a Sergeant, Michael Bahago, two students – Mr. O B Oshodi, Mrs. M A Abu, and a reporter, Mr. Augustine Okpe. There were also the eight-officer crew including Alaboson, Mamadi, Squadron Leader J A Adeiza and Flight Lieutenant S O Adamu.

The other men, Alum Wakala, Tarfa Saidu, W T Datong and A Soyemi in addition to 19 Air Force officers, were made up of 18 Squadron Leaders and a Sergeant, O. Jaja.

The Nigerian Navy lost 16 Lieutenant Commanders, Ghanaian Armed Forces, five; Tanzania lost Major M S Mgonja while Ugandan Major J.R Mulazi also lost his life in the crash.

The Nigerian Army Education Corps lost a total of 19 officers, Infantry 17, Artillery 15, Intelligence nine, Signals nine, Supply and Transport eight, Military Police seven while the Electrical and Mechanical Armoured and Medical Corps lost four officers each. Others included Ordinance three while Finance and Personnel and Training lost two men each.

News

1966 Coup: Aguiyi-Ironsi family honours Fajuyi’s ‘supreme sacrifice’

Published

3 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The family of the late former Head of State, Maj Gen Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has paid tribute to the late Lt Col Adekunle Fajuyi, describing his death as a “supreme and heroic sacrifice” that remains one of the most defining symbols of loyalty and national unity in Nigeria’s history.

Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”

The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.

They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.

According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.

The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.

It further appreciated Nigerians, institutions, and well-meaning individuals who had consistently honoured the memory of Fajuyi, describing such support as proof that “the sacrifice of a true patriot is never forgotten.”

The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”

The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.

It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.

Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.

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Anambra APP Celebrates Ugochinyere’s Emergence As Reps Minority Leader

Published

11 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

By Okey Maduforo Awka

The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.

Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.

According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.

“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”

“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”

Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.

“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .

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Rights Group Petitions IGP, Seeks Probe of Police Role in Controversial Enugu Land Disputes

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, over alleged abuse of office and misuse of police powers by officers of the Enugu State Police Command in connection with a controversial land dispute involving Ostara Farms Limited and the Okpogho Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In a petition dated May 29, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC accused the Officer-in-Charge of the Directorate of Legal Services, Enugu State Police Command, and other officers of allegedly interfering in ongoing land litigation, intimidating community members, and using criminal proceedings to influence a dispute that is already before several courts.

According to the organisation, the controversy centres on an agreement through which Ostara Farms Limited allegedly acquired about 2,000 hectares of communal land from individuals said to be acting on behalf of the community for a consideration of N50 million.

RULAAC said a significant number of community members have challenged the transaction, alleging that the agreement was entered into under questionable circumstances and contains terms that unfairly favour the company.

The rights group noted that several lawsuits concerning ownership and control of the disputed land are currently pending before courts in Enugu State, including Suit Nos. A/24/2025, AWH/41/2022, E/299M/2025, A/58/2025, A/59/2025, A/60/2025 and A/61/2025.

Despite the ongoing litigation, RULAAC expressed concern that police authorities have increasingly become involved in the matter through criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The organisation alleged that criminal allegations arising from the burning of a company-owned caterpillar by unidentified persons were being used to target outspoken opponents of the land transaction.

According to the petition, rather than identifying those directly responsible for the incident, the company allegedly supplied names of community leaders and critics of the land deal who were subsequently treated as suspects.

“If true, such actions amount to an abuse of police processes and a dangerous weaponisation of criminal justice mechanisms to suppress dissent, intimidate citizens and gain advantage in a civil dispute,” the organisation stated.

RULAAC further linked the matter to an earlier land dispute involving Obeagu Awkunanaw and Amechi Uwani communities and Private Estates International West Africa Limited (PEIWA), noting that both companies are reportedly associated with businessman Kingsley Tobechukwu Eze.

The organisation recalled that concerns over police involvement in the PEIWA dispute had earlier been brought to the attention of the IGP and referred to the Police Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters.

It also referenced reports that Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited are facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court, Enugu, relating to the alleged forgery of a survey plan connected with the acquisition of ancestral lands in Enugu.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants were accused in Count I; “That you Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited, sometimes in 2009 or thereabouts, at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: forgery of the Survey Plan titled “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” of 1985 and thereby committed an offence contrary 3 (6) and punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

COUNT II

“That you Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited, sometimes in 2009 or thereabouts, at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did make or utter the Survey Plan titled “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” of 1985 knowing same to be false or with intent that it may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act…”

RULAAC also referred to findings reportedly contained in the Enugu State House of Assembly’s Special Committee Report on Land Matters and Disputes adopted in December 2024.

The organisation urged the IGP to direct the Police Monitoring Unit to immediately take over investigations and prosecutions arising from the Ostara Farms dispute, investigate allegations of misconduct against one CSP Justice Attah, the Officer-in-Charge, Directorate of Legal Services in Enugu, and review any criminal proceedings allegedly initiated for purposes of harassment or intimidation.

Meanwhile, in a separate petition dated May 28, 2026, the organisation called on the IGP to intervene in two criminal cases pending before the Federal High Court, Enugu, over the repeated failure of police authorities to produce defendants for arraignment.

The cases are Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, IGP v. Kingsley Eze & 2 Others, and Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/222/2024, IGP v. Alex Ifeadi & 2 Others.

According to RULAAC, the charges were filed following investigations by the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Enugu, indicating that investigations had been completed and prosecution was ready to proceed.

The organisation, however, lamented that despite the filing of the charges, the defendants have repeatedly not been produced before the court for arraignment, resulting in prolonged delays.

RULAAC said the cases came up before the Federal High Court on May 20, 2026, where the court reportedly expressed concern over the inability of the prosecution to present the defendants for plea.

The rights group warned that the continued delays could lead to the cases being struck out for lack of diligent prosecution, thereby undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system.

It urged the IGP to direct the FCID Annex, Enugu, and the FID Abuja, through the Directorate of Legal Services, to ensure the production of the defendants on the next adjourned date of June 18, 2026, and facilitate diligent prosecution of the matters.

RULAAC maintained that its intervention was aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the justice system and ensuring that police powers are exercised impartially and in accordance with the rule of law.

News

Police Declare 6 IPOB Members Wanted Over Protests Against Kanu’s Jail Terms

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

By Okey Maduforo Awka

Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .

The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.

The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them

The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.

According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.

The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.

The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.

The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.

The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.

The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.

The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.

As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.

The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.

The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.

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Power Doesn’t Last Forever, It Has Expiry Date — VeryDarkMan Warns Wike

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

Social media activist and commentator, , popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, , over comments he allegedly made concerning teachers protesting in solidarity with colleagues and schoolchildren affected by insecurity in Oyo State.

In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news

The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.

VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.