…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.
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.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.
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”.
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
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