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Gowon Reveals How His Trusted Security Aide Helped Overthrow Him in Military Coup

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Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), has revealed that his trusted security aide, Joseph Garba, Commander of the Federal Guards Unit he appointed to protect his life, played a role in the coup that overthrew him in July 1975.

In his 859-page autobiography titled “My Life of Duty and Allegiance,” Gowon described the incident as the most painful personal betrayal of his time in office, saying it was carried out by individuals he had promoted based on trust and, in Garba’s case, family connections.

According to him, Garba had assured him just days before the coup that he had no knowledge of any plot against his government.

He also recounted that his Chief Security Officer and head of the Special Branch, M.D. Yusuf, had earlier warned him about a planned coup ahead of the OAU summit in Kampala, Uganda, naming two key officers, Garba, then Commander of the Federal Guards Unit, and Anthony Ochefu, then Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Military Police.

Gowon said the warning left him in a difficult position, noting that Garba occupied one of the most sensitive roles in his security structure, heading the elite unit responsible for the Head of State’s protection.

He added that Garba’s appointment as head of the Brigade of Guards was influenced by personal familiarity and the confidence he had in him.

“As commander of the Federal Guards, which is the elite entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the person of the Head of State, Garba was supposed to have unquestionable loyalty.

“Not only did I intimately know both men, but I had also grown to like and trust them over the years.

“Coincidentally, both were Christians and from my original home state, Benue Plateau,” he narrated.

The book, which spans 36 chapters, traces Gowon’s life from his Angas roots in Plateau State through his military career, the Civil War, his removal from office in 1975, as well as his years in exile and academic pursuit abroad.

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 Wike names 3 APC governors fighting his coalition [FULL LIST]

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has named three All Progressives Congress, APC, governors who he said are opposed to his Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Journalist Hangout, a programme on TVC, Wike listed them as Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

According to him, several APC governors had no problem with the Rainbow Coalition, which he has presented as a platform to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election across political parties.

The minister specifically mentioned Adamawa, Edo, Kogi, Lagos and Akwa Ibom, as well as the governor of Ondo State, as governors who, according to him, were not opposed to the coalition.

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“How can a governor leave his state and go to Abuja to complain that Rainbow Coalition is a distraction? Is that a serious governor?

“Adamawa, Edo, Kogi, Lagos and Akwa-Ibom state governors do not have a problem with the Rainbow Coalition. I saw Ondo Governor there, and I was shocked,” Wike said.

He then identified the three governors he said were behind the opposition to his political activities.

“The governors having issues with me are Governor Hope Uzodimma, Governor Abdulrazaq and Governor Dapo Abiodun,” Wike added.

Wike’s remarks came following an escalating disagreement between him and the leadership of the APC Governors Forum over the Rainbow Coalition.

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Troops repel suspected reprisal attack after killing of pastor in Plateau

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A suspected reprisal attack by suspected Fulani militias following the killing of a local resident in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State has been repelled by troops of Sector 4, Operation Hakorin Damisa.

The incident occurred at about 8 pm on September 20, 2026, at Marit Junction, where troops responded to a report of an attack on two locals.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama quoted military sources as saying that troops arrived at the scene and confirmed that one of the victims, identified as Rev. Andy Samuel, 53, had been shot dead, while the second victim sustained injuries and was evacuated to the General Hospital for medical attention.

He explained that the troops reportedly came under attack shortly after leaving the hospital.

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According to him, “The attackers were suspected to be Fulani militias carrying out a reprisal attack following earlier violence reported in Dorowa Babuje, Sherum, Maraban Kantoma and Lajam communities, all in Barkin Ladi LGA.”

He stated that reinforcements from Sector 8, supported by other force multipliers and air support from Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano aircraft, responded to the attack.

He added that the troops successfully repelled the attackers and prevented the violence from spreading to other communities, pointing out that troops are currently dominating the general area and conducting fighting patrols to maintain security and forestall further attacks.

Security forces have also continued to urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements as efforts intensify to prevent retaliatory violence and further escalation in the area.

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