I Executed the Soldiers Who Came to Kill Me: How IBB Escaped Death in a Deadly Coup

According to the report from the Sun. Former military president General Ibrahim Babangida has finally opened up about the terrifying 1990 Gideon Orkar coup attempt in his newly released memoir, A Journey in Service.

Launched on February 20, 2025, in Abuja, the book details the dramatic events of April 22, 1990, when a group of rebellious soldiers tried to overthrow his government and remove five northern states from Nigeria.

Babangida described the attack as a "rude surprise," revealing that his wife was the first to notice unusual military movements at their Dodan Barracks residence in Lagos.

"She rushed back to tell me she had seen troops taking strange positions. Moments later, gunfire erupted," he wrote. Within minutes, heavy artillery fire bombarded his residence, shaking the entire compound.

The coup, led by Major Gideon Orkar, saw soldiers seize control of key locations, including the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). In a shocking broadcast, Orkar declared Babangida’s government corrupt and announced his plan to expel five northern states from Nigeria.

However, Babangida dismissed the accusations as "childish and divisive," claiming that most Nigerians rejected Orkar’s message.

Despite the intense attack, Babangida credited his survival to his loyal guards and the swift actions of top military officers. His ADC, Lt-Col U.K. Bello, led the defense, but tragically lost his life while trying to use a sabotaged tank against the rebels. "My guards did what they were trained to do—protect me and my family," Babangida wrote.

He also praised General Sani Abacha for organizing loyal forces to crush the coup. "Abacha kept me updated on every move. By late morning, our troops had regained control, and the coup plotters were on the run." The failed coup resulted in mass arrests and executions, including Orkar himself.

Reflecting on the betrayal, Babangida admitted he was heartbroken. "Some of these officers were people I had helped in their careers. It was painful." However, he insisted that the incident made Nigeria stronger. "The coup’s failure proved that no force can divide this country. We took steps to improve military communication and prevent future betrayals."

With his memoir now released, Babangida has reignited interest in one of Nigeria’s most dramatic coup attempts, offering a firsthand account of how he narrowly escaped death.