On June 8, 1998, Nigeria’s military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, died unexpectedly at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. The official statement attributed his death to a sudden heart attack . However, the lack of an autopsy and immediate burial, as per Islamic rites, led to widespread speculation and various theories about the true cause of his demise.
The Nigerian government announced that General Abacha died of a heart attack. This explanation was accepted by many, given the sudden nature of his death and the absence of prior public knowledge about any health issues. His burial took place the same day, adhering to Islamic customs, which typically discourage autopsies……CONTINUE READING
Despite the official account, alternative theories emerged. Some foreign diplomats and intelligence analysts speculated that Abacha might have been poisoned while in the company of prostitutes . Another rumor suggested that he was with two Indian sex workers who allegedly laced his drink with a poisonous substance, leading to his death .
Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, refuted these claims. He recounted that Abacha’s health deteriorated after a handshake with a security personnel accompanying Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during a visit to Nigeria. Al-Mustapha emphasized that Abacha died after a brief illness and not due to any foul play involving food or drink.
Following Abacha’s death, General Abdulsalami Abubakar assumed leadership and initiated a transition to civilian rule, culminating in the establishment of the Fourth Nigerian Republic in 1999.
