Former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has opened up about the failed coup led by his childhood friend, General Mamman Vatsa, revealing the tough choice he had to make between personal loyalty and national security. In his newly launched autobiography, A Journey of Service, Babangida recalled how the coup rumors initially seemed like mere speculation, but deeper investigations confirmed a dangerous plot against his government.
According to IBB, intelligence reports uncovered that Vatsa had financed officers to execute the coup, with plans to bomb key infrastructure, sabotage Air Force assets, and even target the presidential aircraft. Despite confronting Vatsa and seeking counsel from senior officers, the evidence became overwhelming. The military tribunal’s verdict was execution—an outcome Babangida described as heartbreaking but necessary to maintain stability. He emphasized that in military rule, failed coups come with clear consequences, and he had to put the nation above friendship.
Reflecting on the decision, Babangida admitted feeling deep regret but insisted that prioritizing national security was non-negotiable. While some later tried to politicize the event, he maintained that discipline within the armed forces had to be upheld. Despite his past loyalty to Vatsa, he affirmed that leadership sometimes demands difficult sacrifices for the greater good.