Why I couldn’t save Mamman Vatsa from execution — IBB

Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, has explained why he could not prevent the execution of his close friend and colleague, Mamman Vatsa, following his conviction over an alleged coup plot in 1985.

Babangida spoke in an interview with Badeggi 90.1 FM in Minna, Niger State, as part of activities marking his 85th birthday.

Vatsa, who was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory at the time, was accused of being involved in a plot to overthrow Babangida’s government.

Recalling the incident, Babangida said he initially found it difficult to believe the allegations because Vatsa was his schoolmate, close associate and military colleague.

“Initially, I found it difficult to believe reports linking Vatsa to a planned coup because of our long-standing friendship and shared history,” he said.

Babangida said he summoned Vatsa and Mohammed Gado Nasko to his office after a senior military officer informed him that they had been mentioned in connection with the alleged coup plot.

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“When they arrived, I asked them about the reports that they had been mentioned in a plot to topple my government. Both of them denied any involvement,” he said.

According to Babangida, a military commission of inquiry was subsequently established to investigate the allegations.

He said Nasko was cleared of wrongdoing, but the panel found evidence linking Vatsa to the coup plot.

“While General Gado Nasko was cleared of any wrongdoing, the panel found evidence linking Vatsa to the coup plot,” Babangida said.

The former military president said the finding left him “shocked, devastated and deeply disappointed”, but he could not intervene because of the military law governing the case.

“There was nothing I could do to exonerate him from the consequences prescribed by military law. My hands were tied. That was how I lost my brother, General Mamman Vatsa,” he said.

Vatsa was subsequently executed by firing squad in March 1986.

Babangida and Vatsa had a longstanding relationship. They grew up together, attended Bida Middle School, now Government College Bida, graduated in the same year and later joined the military together.