The attention of the family of late Lt. Col. Musa Bitiyong (murdered by IBB) has been drawn to the false narrative that Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, who became Nigeria’s president from 1985 to 1993 through illegality, namely by way of a coup, is trying to perpetuate through the book he launched on February 20, 2025.
The family does not wish to join issues with the self-acclaimed “evil genius” but it is unfortunate that our silence (while we got on with mourning our murdered patriarch and the business of rebuilding our lives) has been taken as consent to continue to denigrate the good name and memories we have of our father as a God-fearing, upright, loyal officer and gentleman.
The statement that my father, late Lt. Col. Musa Bitiyong, “had previously been involved in other controversial coup stories” is a fallacy from the pits of hell and is more an apt description of IBB’s infamous forage into our national life.
Questions need to be asked as to how 10 very intelligent, decorated officers, who were not in command of any troops, could plan to overthrow a government successfully.
And how much-touted N50,000.00 (before it was N10,000.00) could be adequate to execute said coup? IBB, being an experienced coup plotter, should explain how one can successfully carry out a coup with N50,000.00!
The family appreciates the general reaction of the public towards the publication of this book, as not having added any value to the progress of this nation.
March 5, 2025, marks the 39th year of this egregious action and the family of the esteemed late Lt. Col. Musa Bitiyong wish, in our usual manner, to be able to reflect solemnly on this great man and the injustices we have suffered from a nation that we have all served judiciously.
Why Nigerians are silent at the sheer numbers of people IBB slaughtered (his real or imagined enemies) to perpetuate himself in office baffles me.
- Amina Bitiyong Zemo is the daughter of Lt. Col. Musa Bitiyong
