Babangida’s Most Difficult Decision Was Ordering Execution of Childhood Friend Mamman Vatsa – Obi Emelonye [Video]

Image: X

Nollywood filmmaker Obi Emelonye has revealed that former Nigerian head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), once confided in him that the hardest decision of his military career was ordering the execution of his childhood friend, Mamman Vatsa.

During an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Emelonye recounted his private conversation with Babangida while working on his biopic, Badamasi: Portrait of a General. According to the filmmaker, Babangida shared that Mamman Vatsa was not only his classmate at Bida Secondary School but also his coursemate at the Nigerian Military School.

Despite their close bond, Vatsa was convicted of failing to report a coup plot against Babangida’s regime. Though he was not directly involved in the conspiracy, the military tribunal found him guilty by association, as he had prior knowledge of the plot but chose to remain silent.

Babangida, faced with the toughest call of his leadership, ultimately upheld military tradition over friendship, leading to Vatsa’s execution on March 5, 1986.

This revelation has reignited debates about loyalty, betrayal, and the brutal realities of military politics, leaving many wondering—was justice truly served, or was Vatsa a scapegoat of military rule?

See below:

"Babangida said ordering the k*lling of his friend (Mamman Vatsa) was the most difficult thing he had to do as a soldier."

- Filmmaker, Obi Emelonye pic.twitter.com/x6xWHvjCEr

— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) March 8, 2025

Source: DP

#Babangida 

#MammanVatsa 

#NigerianHistory 

#MilitaryPolitics 

#ObiEmelonye 

#Nollywood 

#TreasonTrial