IBB didn’t single-handedly kill best friend, Vatsa — Gen. Akilu

The Director of National Intelligence, General Haliru Akilu has dispelled the belief that former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, purposely eliminated his friend General Mamman Vatsa.

Mr Akilu spoke on Thursday in Abuja on the occasion of the 80th birthday celebration of IBB, along with other former colleagues of the military dictator.

Major-General Mamman Vatsa was executed on March 5, 1986 after a military tribunal found him guilty of treason in connection with an abortive coup during the IBB junta.

He was a childhood friend of Mr Babangida.

Mr Akilu, also a former Director of Military Intelligence in the 1990s, said that the loyalty and empathy of IBB for especially his friends and family did not conform with the narrative about the role of then Head of State.

“When you know General Babangida, you will understand that these narratives did not fit the picture,” Mr Akilu said.

“As the leader then, IBB had to follow the right process of the military trials of any act of treason and there are persons bestowed with that responsibility.”

Mr Akilu said that with time, the various legacies of IBB would be brought out for the future generation to learn and understand that every Nigeria’s leader contributed immensely to national development.

“IBB laid solid infrastructural development for the Nation during his regime.

“We have that bringing the Federal Capital of the country back to Abuja.

“This was a great decision that only leaders of IBB’s capacity can make.

“The second is the building of military barracks in Abuja, the building of the National Assembly Complex, the Aso Rock Villa (State House), the Federal Secretariat as well as economic and social empowerment of Nigerians, especially women with the establishment of the Better Life for Rural Women as MAMSER,” he said.