Touch Of Thoughts | 23 March 2012 10:16 CET

Maj Gen B. A. Idiagbon, it's been 12 years, You remain my Nigerian hero

By Akinbami

... I remember in Saudi Arabia (1985) you were offered a Mansion to stay in for the rest of your life, you politely turned it down. You insisted on returning to Nigeria for two reasons...

1... So that your family will remain proud when they walk the streets that their father isn't a coward!

2... That it would be a honour for you to die beside your boss Maj Gen Buhari who had saved your life during the civil war.

It doesn't matter what people say about you, good or bad you remain my hero, it's been 12 years Sir!

Tunde Idiagbon Biography

Babatunde "Tunde" Idiagbon (14 September 1942 - 24 March 1999) was a Nigerian soldier and a one-time member of the Nigerian military juntas of 1966–1979 and 1983-1998 Nigerian military junta which ruled that country. He served as a military administrator of Borno State in the 1970s in the military administration of Olusegun Obasanjo. Following the ouster of the civilian administration of Shehu Shagari at the end of 1983, he rose to become the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters and defacto Vice President in the military administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari Administration

In this role, he was the de-facto second-in-command and was responsible for implementing many of the government's policies. Chief amongst these was the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), which was a campaign to eradicate corruption and disorderliness in Nigerian life.

Fall from power

After 20 months in power, the government of Buhari was overthrown by Ibrahim Babangida. Idiagbon was removed from his position in this coup, and he was placed under house arrest for 3 years. After his release, he returned to civilian life in his hometown of Ilorin, Nigeria, where he died in 1999 of an unknown illness after returning from a conference. There is a general belief however that Idiagbon was poisoned at the conference.

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