Obi Emelonye reveals what Babangida told him about his toughest decision in his entire life 

Nollywood filmmaker Obi Emelonye recently shared a revealing moment he had with former Nigerian head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), about one of the most difficult decisions of his life.

While working on his biopic Badamasi Portrait of a General, Emelonye asked Babangida about his hardest moment as a soldier, and the answer he received was both surprising and deeply emotional.

Babangida, known for his critical role in the history of Nigerian recounted the painful story of his childhood friend Mamman Vatsa, who was executed for treason. 

The two men had a bond that began in their school days at Bida Secondary School and continued through their military careers.

Babangida and Vatsa were not just classmates but also coursemates at the Nigerian Military School, sharing a strong friendship forged in the midst of the Nigerian Civil War.

In fact, Vatsa had taken over Babangida’s command when he was injured in the war, further increase their trust for each other.

When Babangida became Nigeria’s president, he appointed Vatsa as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a clear sign of the deep bond and mutual respect between the two men. 

However, their friendship would be tested during a period of intense political tension in the military.

A coup was planned against Babangida, which not only aimed to assassinate him but also to destroy the Dodan Barracks, where his family lived. 

Vatsa, though not involved in the plotting, failed to report the conspiracy to Babangida. Under military law, this act of omission was considered just as serious as direct involvement.

Despite their long-standing friendship, Babangida was left with a harrowing decision, whether to prioritize loyalty to his friend or uphold military tradition and discipline.

Babangida shared with Emelonye that ordering Vatsa’s execution was the hardest decision he ever made as a soldier.

He admitted that the situation was agonizing, but he ultimately felt he had no choice, as failing to act would have set a dangerous precedent in the military.

Emelonye further discussed this painful chapter with Vatsa’s family, acknowledging their frustration while offering a perspective on the complexities of military duty and betrayal.

Mamman Vatsa was executed on March 5, 1986, and his death remains in Nigeria’s military history.