Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has shared fresh insights into some of Nigeria’s most turbulent military eras, including the failed coup attempts linked to Major General Mamman Vatsa in 1986 and Major Gideon Orkar in 1990.

In his newly released autobiography, Call of Duty, Abdulsalami reflected on the tense atmosphere within the military during periods of political instability and coup plotting that marked the administration of former military president Ibrahim Babangida. He recounted how military officers navigated uncertainty, loyalty tests, and security concerns as successive coup attempts threatened the country’s stability.

The former Head of State also revealed previously unknown details about events surrounding the 1993 military takeover that brought Sani Abacha to power. According to him, he initially distanced himself from discussions surrounding the coup and was reluctant to accept a senior military appointment afterward, fearing a breakdown of military procedures and discipline.

Abdulsalami’s memoir provides a firsthand account of key moments in Nigeria’s political history, including military transitions, the June 12 crisis, the death of Abacha, and the eventual return to democratic rule in 1999. The revelations have generated renewed public interest in the role of military leaders during some of the country’s most defining political events.