Nollywood actor, Daniel Etim Effiong, has opened up on a painful chapter in his family’s past.
The actor revealed how his father once faced death after being linked to an alleged coup during Nigeria’s military era.
Speaking during an interview on Diary of a Naija Girl, the actor said the events happened when he was still a baby. His father, Colonel Moses Effiong, was arrested over claims that he had a connection to a plot aimed at removing then Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, from power.
He explained that the situation started when his father was told about the plan by a close friend in the army. This placed him in a difficult position, as he had to choose between keeping the information to himself or reporting it. When the alleged plot became known, authorities arrested the friend, who later mentioned Colonel Effiong during questioning.
This led to his father’s arrest and trial, where he was found guilty in connection with the case. The judgment was harsh, as he was sentenced to death by firing squad.
The actor said the situation took an unexpected turn on the day the sentence was meant to be carried out. Instead of being executed, his father was spared, escaping what seemed like a certain end.
He added that the incident left a deep mark on his family and played a role in shaping his early life, as they had to live with the memory of that period.
He said: “He was arrested for coup against President Ibrahim Babangida. His best friend in the army had told him of plans that he had to kick Babangida out of power. And the big question became for him, should he tell on his friend or should he not tell on his friend? When the whole thing was leaked, my dad’s friend was arrested and they asked him, ‘Who did you tell about this coup plot?’ And he said he told my dad. My dad was arrested as well, he was tried and sentenced to death by a firing squad. Miraculously, he survived that ordeal.”
