No Proof the CIA Killed Abacha and Abiola
The Claim
The CIA killed Gen. Sani Abacha and MKO Abiola.
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Emerging story
Nigeria’s former Minister of Aviation during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Femi Fani-Kayode, claims that Abacha was killed by one of the late Yasser Arafat’s bodyguards acting on the instruction of the CIA. He also claims that two former Nigerian Heads of State and a former Head of Military Intelligence, all CIA agents, knew about the plan.
He also says these were the same people who had MKO Abiola – the winner of June 12, 1993, presidential election – killed.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbah's investigation found that no evidence supports the claim.
According to his Chief Security Officer Major Al Mustapha, events leading to Abacha's death began June 7, 1998, after one of the security operatives who accompanied President Yasser Arafat of Palestine shook hands with him. However, there is no evidence that either the security personnel or Arafat were acting on the orders of the CIA.
Abacha’s former personal physician, Professor Wal, confirms Al Mustapha’s version, as he says Abacha was generally healthy. For this reason, the former Head of State’s death naturally elicited suspicions.
Al Mustapha further revealed that he had been in charge of Abiola’s safety the entire four years while he was incarcerated. According to him, Abiola was taken away from the guest house where he had been staying without Mustapha’s knowledge. This does point to a conspiracy – but again, no evidence points to the CIA’s involvement.
Assistant secretary of state for African Affairs Susan Rice tells her side of the story during the fateful diplomatic visit to Nigeria in July 1998 along with Senior US diplomat Tom Pickering. The visit was initially meant to help secure the release of MKO Abiola, who was the alleged winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
According to Rice, Abiola began coughing during a meeting. The cough worsened, and he had to be rushed to the nearby hospital. Rice says that that's the extent of her involvement in the events leading to Abiola's death.
The death of these two notable political players has continued to generate controversy over the years. Despite theories pointing the finger at the CIA, there is currently no evidence of their involvement.
