According to Punch Newspapers, An 80-year-old former Nigeria Airways pilot has revealed his critical role in the historic 1983 military coup that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power, recounting how he flew the general across the country during the tense days following the takeover.
In an exclusive interview, the retired aviator disclosed, “I also flew General (Muhammadu) Buhari around during the 1983 coup. I remember that for about two or three days, the government hadn’t been formed and General Buhari, who led the coup was moving across the country. I was the pilot who flew him around during those three days.”
The former pilot whose identity was not disclosed in the report, shared that the days following the December 31, 1983 coup were filled with uncertainty and secrecy. Buhari, then a Major General had led the military to oust the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari, citing corruption and mismanagement.
Describing the experience, the pilot said the missions involved short notices, limited information and heightened security. “Everything was shrouded in secrecy. We only knew the destinations shortly before takeoff and I had to be ready to move at any time,” he recalled.
The retired pilot expressed pride in his service, noting that although he was unaware of the full political implications at the time, he understood the weight of flying such a high-ranking officer during a crucial moment in Nigeria’s history.
General Buhari would later become Nigeria’s Head of State from 1983 to 1985, before returning decades later as a democratically elected president in 2015.
The pilot’s account adds a personal dimension to one of Nigeria’s most significant political transitions, highlighting the behind-the-scenes figures who played unsung roles during pivotal national events.
