Former Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) has disclosed details of the failed coup purportedly organized by his boyhood buddy, General Mamman Vatsa, which obliged him to choose between keeping a long-standing personal tie and securing the nation’s destiny.

In passages from his autobiography, ‘A Journey of Service,’ which was published on February 20, 2025, Babangida describes how early concerns about Vatsa’s suspected ambitions reached him “as a series of rumors.”

In Chapter 10, titled ‘The Challenges of Leadership,’ the former military commander stated that while he originally rejected the allegations as misplaced jealousy of the strong friendship they had maintained since their childhood, he sought advice from fellow officers such as Generals Nasko, Garba Duba, and Wushishi.

He added that subsequent clandestine investigations by military and other intelligence services turned up “incontrovertible evidence” that Vatsa had financed officers to help the operation.

Babangida stated, “With our experience in the few months in government and the benefit of hindsight based on previous rumors, I determined that the best way to deal with rumors about a possible Vatsa coup was to confront the principal suspects.”

“When the volume of the tales became too loud, I approached Vatsa personally after reporting the rumors to other senior colleagues such as Generals Nasko, Garba Duba, and Wushishi. Nasko intervened and attempted to learn the truth from Vatsa. Vatsa vehemently denied everything, but clandestine probes by the military and other intelligence agencies proceeded.

“After significant indisputable proof was gathered, the arrests began.

“He admitted it, and Vatsa also admitted the payment but said he wanted to help Bitiyong establish a farm project — the case of Lt-Col. Musa was not helped because he had previously been involved in other controversial coup stories.”

The stated intentions included attacking the Eko Bridge in Lagos and damaging important Air Force installations.

He described the idea as “dastardly,” claiming that information indicated preparations to hijack or shoot down the presidential aircraft.

“I felt a deep personal sense of betrayal,” he said, referring to their decades-long connection in Minnesota.

After the military tribunal concluded its review, Babangida stated that “it was clear that the coup planners had to be executed.”

Babangida described the execution of Vatsa and nine other conspirators in March 1986 as “a personal loss of a childhood friend,” but he said it was an essential step to ensure Nigeria’s stability.

They had plotted a deadly coup that would have thrown the nation into chaos, he wrote. I had to decide between preserving the future of the country and saving the life of a friend.