The Night of April 22, 1990: When Loyalty Was Forged in Fire

Photo caption: A photograph shows the Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, at the centre, flanked by General Sani Abacha on the right and General Abba Abdulkadir on the left.

The night of April 22, 1990 stands as one of the most dramatic and perilous moments in Nigeria’s post independence military history. In the late hours of that night, a group of coup plotters launched a violent and carefully coordinated attempt to overthrow the government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Gunfire echoed across strategic locations in Lagos, radio broadcasts announced a supposed change of government, and uncertainty gripped the nation as Nigerians awoke to the sound of chaos.

At the heart of the crisis was the safety of the Head of State himself. The coup attempt was bold and ruthless, targeting not only key military installations but also the nerve centre of political power. In the confusion of the fighting, General Babangida suffered a deeply personal loss with the death of his Aide de Camp, Lt Col UK Bello, who was killed while performing his duty in the line of fire. His death underscored the gravity of the moment and the real danger confronting the regime.
It was during these critical hours that General Sani Abacha emerged as the central figure in the defence of the government.

Calm, resolute and uncompromising, Abacha took decisive control of loyal troops and countered the advances of the coup plotters. His actions helped secure the seat of power and ensured the survival of the Commander in Chief at a time when the balance could easily have tipped the other way. By the early hours of the morning, the coup had been effectively crushed, and the authority of the Babangida government was restored.

Beyond saving the regime, the events of that night forged a powerful bond between Babangida and Abacha. The loyalty Abacha displayed under fire left a lasting impression on the Head of State. In recognition of his role, courage and steadfastness, Babangida later promoted Sani Abacha to the rank of full four star General. This promotion was historic and unprecedented in Nigeria’s military tradition.

For the first time in the country’s history, a serving officer held the full rank of General while another officer remained the sitting Head of State. The decision signaled not only personal gratitude but also immense trust, elevating Abacha to a position of exceptional influence within the military hierarchy.

The night of April 22, 1990 therefore occupies a unique place in Nigeria’s story. It was a night of bloodshed and loss, marked by the sacrifice of officers like Lt Col UK Bello. It was also a night that reshaped power relations within the armed forces, cemented alliances at the highest level and set the stage for future developments that would profoundly affect the nation. Loyalty was tested in fire, and in its aftermath, history took a decisive turn.