In a recent interview with journalist Edmund Obilo, retired officer Jack Adokiye revealed shocking details about the failed April 1990 coup led by Major Gideon Orkar against then military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).
In a video shared by Splash FM, Adokiye explained that Colonel Anthony Nyiam, one of the main plotters, believed the coup would succeed after receiving inside information from Babangida’s own Aide-de-Camp (ADC). The ADC and Nyiam were coursemates in the military, which made it easier for him to share secrets.
According to Adokiye, Nyiam had visited Dodan Barracks, the seat of power at the time, and even spent about 25 minutes playing chess with Colonel U.K. Bello, another officer close to Babangida. During this period, Nyiam tried to find out if the Head of State would be spending the night at the barracks.
“The ADC told him the Commander-in-Chief was very weak, and it looked like they would sleep in Dodan Barracks that night,” Adokiye recalled.
He went on to explain that Nigerian leaders often avoided spending the night in the same location for security reasons. “Most times, even the military administrators sneak out around 10 or 11 at night to sleep somewhere else, because the seat of government could be attacked at any time,” he said.
Despite this intelligence, the coup eventually failed. Babangida survived, while many of the plotters, including Gideon Orkar, were later executed. Adokiye himself admitted he was tricked into joining the plot.
