June 12: How I was almost killed by Abacha men in Ibadan – Yomi Faparusi

Yomi Faparusi, a Nigerian-American based in Tennessee in the United States, on Tuesday recounted how he allegedly escaped kidnapping and death during the June 12 battle.

Faparusi claimed that he was almost kidnapped and killed by the State Security Service, SSS, now the Department of State Service, DSS.

DAILY POST reports that the struggle for democracy began on June 12, 1993, when Nigeria held its first presidential elections since the 1983 military coup.

The election was won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, who died on July 7, 1998.

Although both local and foreign observers said the elections were free and fair, then-military head of state Ibrahim Babangida canceled the elections due to alleged irregularities.

The development caused chaos in the country, leading to Babangida’s decision to resign on August 27, 1993. Ernest Shonekan, MKO townsman from Ogun State, took over as interim government.

However, on June 11, 1994, Abiola declared himself President of Nigeria. He was later arrested by General Sani Abacha on June 23, 1994 for alleged treason.

The former head of state was also accused of having a number of assassins whom he allegedly sent after pro-democracy activists.

During one of those expeditions, Abacha is said to have sent his assassins to Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, to have Faparusi kidnapped.

Faparusi told journalists at a virtual press conference on Tuesday that he fled the country in 1997 to seek political asylum in the United States after realizing he would be detained by the Abacha regime.

He said: “I was involved in the June 12 Movement because I despise military regimes. They are an illegal form of government, regardless of the justification often used. You should note that when I was in Nigeria, I lived under a civilian government for only four years: the Shagari regime from 1979 to 1983.

‘My formative years were under military rule, and I believe many people in my age group were affected by that. Abacha was a tyrant on another level. I was determined to end his reign.

“Even though I was a medical student, I participated in the Students’ Union and various demonstrations on the UI campus. Off campus, I worked with branches of the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) on strategy. Previously, the NLC would hold a nationwide strike, which was not sustainable for a long time.

“I was one of the advocates of scattered and successive strikes: different chapters strike at different times, so that the strikes could be continuous, like a relay race. In the US, I attended events organized by President Tinubu and other NADECO leaders. This was a rallying point for someone like me, as I was a stressed-out young man who suddenly had to make a life change. It was often a mixed feeling to see hope kept alive, but the reality was the sheer number of Nigerians in exile.

“I had to flee Nigeria in 1997 and seek political asylum in the United States when I realized I would be detained and killed by the Abacha regime.

“We were preparing for a nationwide strike and demonstration by different groups of Nigerians: students, market women and of course trade unions. The plan was leaked and the Abacha junta started arresting people. At that time, without mobile phones, you could not get a warning about an upcoming arrest by the State Security Service (SSS), now DSS.

“I was at Aleshinloye market in Ibadan when I saw three men dressed as SSS operatives following me. I moved quickly and hid in a store and when I tried to leave I saw these men waiting for me. Luckily, one of the store owners allowed me to stay in his store; he left me in his shop after the market closed. After that, I remained underground, and when I heard that my comrades ‘disappeared’, I decided to flee Nigeria.

“This and the next generation must take their right to vote very seriously. Many died for their rights, so make sure they vote in every election.

“June 12, 1993 was one of the freest and fairest elections in Nigeria’s history, but the greed of the ruling military junta squandered that opportunity.

“Nigerians are resilient, and while an illegitimate military government may try to suppress the voices of the people, it can never silence or destroy the will of the masses for democracy. Moreover, democracy is not free; Unfortunately, it is often paid for by the lives and sweat of patriots.

“The significance of June 12 is why we have a civilian government in Nigeria today. People may have reservations about the state of affairs in Nigeria, but nothing would have been as bad as a military government that still rules today. The focus should be on something other than what the government is doing wrong, but on what every Nigerian can do for Nigeria. God bless.”

DAILY POST reports that former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 changed the date for the commemoration of Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12.