As the south-western part of Nigeria celebrate yet another anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 election, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late head of state, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has revealed that some Yoruba leaders know who really killed late Moshood Abiola, its alleged winner.
Al-Mustapha, who was only released from detention some months ago over allegation of being behind the death of Kudirat, the wife of Abiola, categorically said some Yoruba leaders, led by Chief Ayo Opadokun, knew what killed the alleged winner of the election.
Speaking in Kaduna on Monday, June 12 shortly after he met with stakeholders from the north and the south-easter, Al-Mustapha said the Yoruba leaders received bribe in dollars from killers of MKO Abiola.
According to Al-Mustapha, Opadokun led others to the Presidential Villa to meet Abiola’s killers, but came out laughing after receiving dollars, just a day after their leader (MKO) was killed.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that Al-Mustapha claimed he had a tape of how Opadokun and others collected bribe over Abiola’s death.
He added that he had since submitted a copy to a Lagos High Court, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada.
“Chief Opadokun is someone I respect so much as an elder. But what came out in the newspaper is his own imagination and falsehood against me.
‘If you know my character, you will know that, I will not be scared to say the truth, it doest not matter who, it does not matter where, but you will later realise that I told you the truth.
“I initially didn’t want to reply him, but now that you have asked, I will tell you what happened. “When Abiola died, a day after, he (Opadokun) was invited to the presidency and he came to the villa alongside his friends.
“He came with anger into the villa. Those who killed Abiola invited him to the villa.
“At that material time, they came to fight the government, they wanted to set the country ablaze, considering the tone they came with. They went into the meeting, they came out laughing, yelling and gearing as if nothing happened in the country.
“A day after Abiola’s death if you remember, the country was on the verge of collapse. But seeing what was going on and the things around Abiola led me to suspect them, I had not handed over the villa to Abdulsalami Abubakar government then, so I decide to video tape what they were doing and I have the tape and I have tendered the tape before a court of law, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court.
“In that tape, money exchanged hands and they traded with Abiola and that is my anger. The tape is in that court, anybody that wants to watch it can get it and watch, it is now a public document.
“I didn’t want to talk about it before, but money was brought from CBN in my presence and it was shared.
“So, if I talk about Abiola’s well-being and safety, and that of his family, I am telling Nigerians what really happened. Why should a person from the same southwest, who is supposed to protect Abiola’s interest, now be seen to be angry with me?
“He should be happy with for saying the fact, so that it will not happen again in Nigeria.
“Now, they have forgotten about Abiola but the moment I talk, they will come to the pages of newspapers and start insulting me, I didn’t want to respond to them, but since you have asked, I have to say this.
“All they have done is that they took money and the moment you talk about Abiola, you become their enemies and they will abuse you in the papers, that is what they are doing to me, but I don’t care.
“In Yoruba land where culture is the watch word, late MKO Abiola was the last Aare Ona Kakanfo and for a Yoruba man of Opadokun’s standing, going against Aare Ona Kakanfo, what is that thing, I tell you, it is dollars. Thank you very much, I will speak more on this much later God’s willing,” Al-Mustapha reportedly said.
Jimoh Abdulquadri, a resident of Ilorin, Kwara state capital, who was arrested and detained, has reportedly died in police custody.
Abdulquadri was reportedly arrested on Friday at his residence for allegedly owing a friend N220,000.
On Saturday, his family members were informed that he had died in police custody.
In a viral video taken at the deceased’s house, family members could be seen crying and mourning his death.
In the video, Aishat Biola, the older sister of Abdulquadri, narrated how his brother was deceived from the house and whisked away by some police officers.
“My younger brother is the one who was killed. We were all here making jokes when they came to pick him up,” she said.
“They sent people to deceive him away from here. Those who came to carry him away were on the road waiting.
“Police React”
In a statement on Sunday, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the police spokesperson in Kwara, said the deceased was “invited” over “an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence to the sum of N220,000”.
Ejire-Adeyemi said a “discreet investigation” has commenced to ascertain the cause of the death.
“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of an unfortunate incident that led to the tragic loss of one Mr. Jimoh Abdulquadri, which occurred on 20th Dec, 2024,” the statement reads.
“The deceased was invited on an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretense to the sum of 220,000 thousand Naira.
“Discreet investigations into this incident have commenced to ascertain the cause.
“Further developments on the outcome will be communicated as it progresses, as no stone will be left unturned.”
“IGP Visits Deceased’s Family”
On Sunday, Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), visited the family of the deceased in Ilorin, Kwara state capital.
Egbetokun assured the family that the circumstances that led to the death would be investigated.
The case of Abdulquadri appears to be a civil matter.
On numerous occasions, police officers have been warned against being involved in civil matters, including loan recovery, land, and marriage cases.
Despite the numerous warnings, police officers are still involved in civil cases.
Section 32 (2) under Part VI (Powers of Police Officers) of the Nigerian Police Act 2020 stipulates that the police should not be involved in issues of civil wrong or breach of contract.
After more than five years of security restriction, the Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state.
Making the announcement during a press briefing at the weekend, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake stated that the nation has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast gold, Lithium, and copper belts. He noted that the previous ban, which was good intentioned, inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners to fleece the nation of its resources. He emphasized that the state’s potential for contributing to national revenue is enormous.
It will be recalled that in 2019, the federal government imposed a total ban on mining activities in Zamfara State due to the escalating security concerns, particularly the links between banditry and illegal mining.
Since the beginning of the Tinubu administration, however, intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations have resulted in the neutralization of key bandit commanders, significantly reducing incidents of insecurity. A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.
“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool,” Alake asserted.
The minister added that the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state. This will enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources.
Commending members of the fourth estate of the realm for championing the propagation of reforms and initiatives of the ministry in 2024, Alake noted that the press have been key allies in efforts to sanitise the mining sector, and promote market reforms which have made the industry attractive to indigenous and foreign investors.
On the recent controversy surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with France, Alake reaffirmed the Federal Government’s position that the agreement does not imply Nigeria is relinquishing control over its mineral resources or entering into any military pact with France. He emphasized that Nigeria’s military remains fully capable of safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.
“The high point of the MOU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals. We need all the assistance we can get in terms of capacity, technical, and financial support from abroad, and that wasn’t even the first we are signing. We’ve signed similar ones with Germany and Australia. Deliberate peddling of misinformation, despite facts to the contrary, is uncalled for, “the minister emphasised.
Dr. Alake also urged the media to continue to play its crucial role in educating the public about government policies in order to prevent ignorance, mischief, and the spread of misinformation.
Looking ahead to 2025, the minister hinted at upcoming policy initiatives aimed at revitalizing the mining sector. He revealed that the ministry plans to further consolidate reforms, enhance the enabling environment for investments, and continue efforts to reposition the sector for long-term, sustainable growth.
Segun Tomori, FSCA
Special Assistant on Media
to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development
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