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Former Chief Security Officer Challenges New Claims on Abacha’s Final Moments, Calls Them “False and Misleading”
Former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has rejected claims that the former Nigerian leader died during an intimate encounter with a woman, insisting that the account recently published by retired Department of State Services (DSS) officer Dennis Amachree is inaccurate and does not represent what happened.
Al-Mustapha, who spoke with journalists in Kaduna, described the claim as a fabrication and alleged that Amachree was influenced by unnamed individuals to present a false narrative about Abacha’s death.
The controversy followed revelations contained in Amachree’s recently released book, “DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield,” where the retired security officer claimed that Abacha died in the early hours of June 8, 1998, while in the company of a woman at the Aso Rock Guest House.
According to Amachree’s account, the woman, a pharmacist, was later questioned by security officials and allegedly stated: “I did not kill him, he died on top of me.”
However, Al-Mustapha has strongly disputed the claim, saying he has evidence that contradicts the version presented in the book.
“The boy was asked to write the lies by others. I have all the CCTV footages of what happened in my custody, so what he said are not true,” Al-Mustapha said.
Al-Mustapha: Do Not Disrespect the Dead
The former security chief accused the author of spreading information capable of damaging the reputation of a deceased leader who cannot respond to the allegations.
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as a false account, insisting that those who were directly responsible for Abacha’s security at the time knew what happened.
“Just ignore his lies. It’s bad to say such things about someone who is dead,” he stated.
A Death That Has Remained Controversial for Nearly Three Decades
General Sani Abacha died on June 8, 1998, at the age of 54, after ruling Nigeria as military Head of State from November 1993.
His sudden death at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, generated numerous theories, including allegations of poisoning, health complications, and foreign involvement.
Over the years, several individuals have offered different accounts of the circumstances surrounding his death.
While some narratives suggested natural causes, others promoted conspiracy theories involving political opponents and foreign actors.
Amachree’s Account Rekindles Old Debate
Dennis Amachree, who served as Assistant Director of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos State SSS Command during Abacha’s death, said his account was based on his professional involvement in the investigation that followed.
He argued that his intention was to document history and correct what he described as misinformation surrounding one of Nigeria’s most controversial political events.
Amachree dismissed earlier theories involving poisoning and foreign assassination plots, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Abacha’s death had been misunderstood for years.
Demand for Evidence as Nigerians Await More Revelations
The latest disagreement between two former security officials has reopened public debate over the final moments of General Abacha.
While Amachree maintains that his account reflects the truth based on security investigations carried out at the time, Al-Mustapha insists that available CCTV footage and security records will prove otherwise.
The controversy has once again placed Abacha’s death — one of Nigeria’s most debated historical events — back in the national conversation, with many Nigerians calling for the release of credible evidence that can finally provide clarity.
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#HamzaAlMustapha
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