On December 23, 1985, the Vatsa family was full of anticipation. As part of their yearly tradition, they had packed up and prepared to travel to Calabar for the festive season. It was the family’s custom to spend Christmas in Cross River State the hometown of Sufiya, who was Efik – while marking Eid al-Fitr in Minna, Niger State, General Mamman Vatsa’s native land, and Eid al-Adha in Kaduna.But fate had other plans.
That evening, the family waited patiently for General Vatsa to return from a meeting of the Armed Forces Ruling Council. As tension thickened in the air, Sufiya became uneasy. Rumors of a looming arrest had been whispered in military circles.
When Vatsa eventually returned, it wasn’t alone – he was accompanied by soldiers. Instinctively, Sufiya refused to let him go without her. She insisted on going with her husband, even offering to drive him Herself in her beloved Peugeot 404. Before leaving, Vatsa quietly woke their sleeping children – Haruna, Fatima, Jibrin, and Aisha – and kissed each one goodbye. Haruna, the eldest and a cadet at the Nigerian Military School in Zaria, trailed them downstairs in tears.
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Leading the convoy was Lt. Col. Bello. The drive took a strange, winding detour through Lagos, giving no clarity on their destination. At about 2:00 a.m., they arrived at 7 Cameron Road in Ikoyi a place that would mark a turning point in the Vatsa family’s history.
As Vatsa was ordered out of the car, Sufiya leapt out after him. She was quickly and roughly restrained by soldiers. In a heartbreaking moment, Vatsa turned back, held her tightly, and whispered a final plea: “Take care of the children.”And just like that, he was gone.
By the time Sufiya returned home, the horror was only beginning. The military had withdrawn their domestic staff, cutting her off from any help or support. At dawn – just after 5 a.m. she made breakfast and attempted to bring it to wherever her husband was being detained. But she was denied access. The betrayal had begun to unfold a betrayal not just of a friend by friends, but of loyalty, trust, and a family’s peace.
At the military tribunal, MAMMAN VATSA, in his defense made the following statement but his fate was already sealed. VATSA and nine others were sentenced to death and executed.
“I gave this tribunal a precis of my C.V. I do not intend to waste more time on that in this my address of mitigation, but only to refer the tribunal to take note of that submission. Now that you have come to your decision, what else do I say other than to appeal to this honourable tribunal that in passing your sentence you may bear in mind that I have served this country for over 24 years as a military officer.
During this period, I performed my duties with dedication, vigour and determination. I have always been loyal to my superiors and subordinates alike. I have in my humble way contributed to the upliftment of the image of our armed forces and Nigerian Army in particular by way I presented myself officially or otherwise, especially through my literary activities.
I request you to bear in mind that I have never nursed a political or military ambition that is not in conformity with the norms of the profession. For the periods the military has been in government, it was only in the past two years, as from 31st December, 1983, that I have participated in the running of government. I have been a full-time soldier all my military life. That is the path of honour I have chosen for
myself.
I would request the honourable tribunal to also note that I have never nursed any grudges against anyone. I have tried always to be frank with my colleagues. It’s my way, it’s the way of our training. You have made your decision that I am guilty. I can’t question your right to say so as a Tribunal.
However, I shall remain my witness before your judgment, and the testimony before its justice. Before you pass your sentence on me, I’ll request you to see al
sides of everything, before you decide and while you do, I will like you to keep the lessons in view still yet. I believe the sentence shall not be my final hour. I have God’s promise on that.
May I apeal to you to also take note that I am a married man with family. I have other dependants that I have the obligation of looking after. I will hate to think that by the time you finish with me, my children shall be so scared of the system that they shall never come near it for a lean liberty is better than fat slavery.
I have made friends for this country in
the international world and to them and
for them, whatever you decide that should
happen to me would have an effect on
them too. Despite some obvious limita-
tions, I still want to thank the president
and members of this tribunal for their pa-
tience and understanding throughout .the
trial.
Though each one of us is himself,
because each one of us is different, it’s not
easy to see a comrade you have been with,
in some cases through the thick and the
thin being skinned, but that’s the position
we have found ourselves”.
May his soul continue to rest in peace.
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