Vatsa planned to bomb Eko bridge in Lagos, shoot down presidential jet; I felt betrayed -IBB

Former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, has opened up about the circumstances that led to the execution of his childhood friend, General Mamman Vatsa, and other officers accused of plotting a coup against his government in 1985.

According to a Punch report, Babangida stated that intelligence reports revealed Vatsa had recruited several officers and financially incentivized them to support the coup.

He specifically mentioned Lt-Col. Musa Bitiyong, who was allegedly given N50,000 to participate in the plan.

Among the key elements of the coup plot, Babangida disclosed that the conspirators planned to bomb the Eko Bridge in Lagos and sabotage critical Air Force assets.

He noted, “Among the reported plans were the bombing of the Eko Bridge in Lagos and the sabotage of key Air Force assets.”

Furthermore, he revealed that the coup plotters intended to hijack or even shoot down the presidential aircraft, a move he described as reckless and a major threat to national stability.

Expressing his personal distress over the situation, he said, “Intelligence revealed plans to hijack or shoot down the presidential aircraft. I felt a deep personal sense of betrayal.”

Despite his close relationship with Vatsa, Babangida maintained that the decision to execute him and nine other officers in March 1986 was necessary to safeguard the nation.

He described their deaths as a painful loss but emphasised that as Head of State, his primary duty was to ensure national security, even if it meant making difficult personal sacrifices.