Ex-President Obasanjo Reveals How He Was Arrested, Sent To Prison During Abacha Regime

According to a report by Vanguard published on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained why he turned down an offer of political asylum from the United States during the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha, despite warnings that he could face arrest upon returning to Nigeria.

Obasanjo made the revelation during an interview with BBC News Pidgin, published on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. He also reflected on his decision to retire from the Nigerian Army at the age of 42 and venture into agriculture.

The former president disclosed that leaving the military at such an early age was not originally part of his plans. However, after attaining the rank of a four-star general and serving as Nigeria’s military Head of State, he felt he had achieved much of what he could within the armed forces.

After retiring, Obasanjo established a farming business, which he said was performing well before the administration of Abacha began targeting him.

He recalled that while he was travelling, the American ambassador contacted him and conveyed the US government’s willingness to offer him political asylum over concerns about his safety should he return to Nigeria.

Despite the offer, Obasanjo said he declined, maintaining that he had committed no offence that would warrant seeking refuge outside his country.

Upon his return to Nigeria, his passport was reportedly confiscated. He subsequently made his way to his farm, where members of his security team informed him that government security operatives had surrounded the premises.

According to his account, a police officer in plain clothes later approached him, claiming that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) wanted to see him. Obasanjo rejected the request, insisting that the senior officer should visit him personally if he required his attention.

He eventually drove himself to the police station, where the AIG disclosed that he had been directed to arrest him.

Obasanjo further revealed that former US President Jimmy Carter intervened by appealing to Abacha on his behalf. Following the intervention, he was initially placed under house arrest.

However, the situation reportedly escalated when security operatives arrived at about 1 a.m. and took him away while he was playing squash. He was subsequently transferred to prison.

His account provides further insight into the political circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention during the Abacha military administration.

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