…after 15-year ‘cold war’
Former
Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and late General Sani Abacha’s
Chief Security Officer (CSO), Major Hamza Al-Mustapha met by happenstance on
Saturday in Kano, at the residence of a former military intelligence chief.
Although the meeting happened by coincidence, sources told our correspondent
that some dignitaries at the venue of the meeting tried to use the opportunity
to foster reconciliation between the duo.
Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and late General Sani Abacha’s
Chief Security Officer (CSO), Major Hamza Al-Mustapha met by happenstance on
Saturday in Kano, at the residence of a former military intelligence chief.
Although the meeting happened by coincidence, sources told our correspondent
that some dignitaries at the venue of the meeting tried to use the opportunity
to foster reconciliation between the duo.
Details of the efforts to reconcile the two estranged personalities were sketchy,
but sources close to the meeting said “a reasonable step” was taken during that
forum to resolve the 15 years of strained relationship between them.
Abdulsalami, who emerged head of state after the sudden demise of General
Abacha in June, 1998, ordered the arrest and subsequent detention of
Al-Mustapha
in
October of same year while the latter was serving in the 82 Division of the
Nigerian Army, Enugu.
Afterwards, Al-Mustapha faced a prolonged trial for alleged complicity in the
attempted murder of late publisher of The Guardian, Chief Alex Ibru, as well as
the murder of Kudirat Abiola.
All through the period of his trial which lasted for nearly 15 years,
Al-Mustapha remained behind bars, until his discharge and acquittal in
December, 2010 and June this year, respectively.
Though the duo, who probably had no premonition of running into each other at
the place when their paths eventually crossed after almost 15 years of strained
relationship, they were said to have put aside their differences and hugged each
other in the spirit of comradeship.
With surprise written all over their faces, they apparently knew that this was
not the time to keep animosity. They shook hands and embraced themselves and
discussed for few minutes.
They went separately to the residence of the retired top military officer
located in a highbrow area of the city of Kano to condole with the family which
is bereaved.
The ‘reconciliation’ meeting, according to sources, was brokered by some
retired top military brass from the North that were present at the time of
their visit.
One of sources said some they were warned that the squabble between them wan
unhealthy for them in their personal capacities, and the overall interest of
the North.
Al-Mustpha, according to some sources, had fingered General Abubakar for his
travails but the former head of state has kept mum over the accusation, which
was mainly touted in hush-hush talks.
Al-Mustapha had declared after he was discharged and acquittal nearly three
months ago that he had forgiven all those that were behind his travails.
The former CSO, who toured some parts of the North on a ‘thank you visit’ to
prominent citizens, failed to visit General Abubakar though he visited the
general’s closest neighbour, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) in Minna.
But at the time of Al-Mustapha’s visit to IBB in Minna, General Abubakar, it
was learnt, was out of the country.
A source close to Al-Mustapha confirmed the meeting to us last night, though he
declined to be named.
However, concerted efforts to get General Abdulsalami’s reaction to the
reported meeting failed up to press time last night. A very close associate of
the former head of state, Alhaji Jibrin Suleiman said last night in response to
an sms inquiry on the matter that: “Sorry. I have no knowledge of such
meeting”.
October of same year while the latter was serving in the 82 Division of the
Nigerian Army, Enugu.
Afterwards, Al-Mustapha faced a prolonged trial for alleged complicity in the
attempted murder of late publisher of The Guardian, Chief Alex Ibru, as well as
the murder of Kudirat Abiola.
All through the period of his trial which lasted for nearly 15 years,
Al-Mustapha remained behind bars, until his discharge and acquittal in
December, 2010 and June this year, respectively.
Though the duo, who probably had no premonition of running into each other at
the place when their paths eventually crossed after almost 15 years of strained
relationship, they were said to have put aside their differences and hugged each
other in the spirit of comradeship.
With surprise written all over their faces, they apparently knew that this was
not the time to keep animosity. They shook hands and embraced themselves and
discussed for few minutes.
They went separately to the residence of the retired top military officer
located in a highbrow area of the city of Kano to condole with the family which
is bereaved.
The ‘reconciliation’ meeting, according to sources, was brokered by some
retired top military brass from the North that were present at the time of
their visit.
One of sources said some they were warned that the squabble between them wan
unhealthy for them in their personal capacities, and the overall interest of
the North.
Al-Mustpha, according to some sources, had fingered General Abubakar for his
travails but the former head of state has kept mum over the accusation, which
was mainly touted in hush-hush talks.
Al-Mustapha had declared after he was discharged and acquittal nearly three
months ago that he had forgiven all those that were behind his travails.
The former CSO, who toured some parts of the North on a ‘thank you visit’ to
prominent citizens, failed to visit General Abubakar though he visited the
general’s closest neighbour, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) in Minna.
But at the time of Al-Mustapha’s visit to IBB in Minna, General Abubakar, it
was learnt, was out of the country.
A source close to Al-Mustapha confirmed the meeting to us last night, though he
declined to be named.
However, concerted efforts to get General Abdulsalami’s reaction to the
reported meeting failed up to press time last night. A very close associate of
the former head of state, Alhaji Jibrin Suleiman said last night in response to
an sms inquiry on the matter that: “Sorry. I have no knowledge of such
meeting”.
Source:
People’s Daily
People’s Daily
