New book by ex-Nigeria top spy details how military dictator Abacha died

According to report by Ghanaweb on Monday 19, October 2026, Fresh revelations about the final hours of Nigeria’s former military head of state, General Sani Abacha, have resurfaced following accounts by a retired senior intelligence officer who claims to have participated in investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death in 1998.

Dennis Amachree, a former Assistant Director of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), reportedly recounted the events in his memoir, ‘DSS at 40: My Journey Behind the Shield’. His account provides details about the events leading up to Abacha’s death at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on June 8, 1998.

According to the former intelligence officer, Abacha suffered a fatal cardiac arrest at approximately 4:05 a.m. while in a guest house within the presidential complex. Amachree’s account alleges that a woman, identified as a practising pharmacist, was with the former military ruler at the time of his death.

The woman reportedly became frightened after discovering that Abacha was unresponsive. She allegedly dressed quickly and persuaded a security guard on duty that the head of state had arranged transportation for her to return to her accommodation. Unaware of the situation, the security personnel reportedly facilitated her departure from the presidential villa.

Amachree further claimed that the woman travelled to the Nicon Noga Hilton Hotel, where her elder sister was staying. The sister was reportedly connected to Abacha. The two allegedly arranged for the woman to leave Abuja before security officials could locate her.

According to the account, she subsequently boarded an Okada Airline flight scheduled for 7:00 a.m. to Lagos. The former DSS officer reportedly said security personnel initially went to the hotel in search of the woman’s sister. However, investigators later discovered that the principal witness had already left Abuja.

Following instructions from the DSS headquarters, Amachree said he led a team to Lagos to trace the woman. By approximately 8:00 a.m. on June 9, 1998, the team reportedly located her at an address in Ogudu and brought her in for questioning.

During the initial interrogation, the woman allegedly denied any responsibility for Abacha’s death, reportedly insisting that he had died while they were together. She was subsequently returned to Abuja for further questioning by security officials.

General Sani Abacha governed Nigeria from November 1993 until his death in June 1998. His sudden demise marked a significant turning point in the country’s political history, as General Abdulsalami Abubakar succeeded him and later oversaw Nigeria’s transition towards civilian rule.

Amachree’s account has renewed interest in the circumstances surrounding Abacha’s final hours. However, the specific claims outlined in the memoir should be understood as the former intelligence officer’s account and distinguished from independently established facts about the former ruler’s death.

Mr.Douglas feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com