The family of late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa has strongly criticized recent claims by General Kunle Togun (rtd) that Vatsa indeed plotted the 1986 coup against then-Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
The family dismissed Togun’s comments as false and an attempt to justify what they call fabricated narratives in Babangida’s book, The Journey of Service.
Speaking on behalf of the family, former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, described Togun’s allegations as “lies from the pit of hell” aimed at covering up the conspiracy that led to General Vatsa’s execution.
He accused Togun of attempting to validate Babangida’s version of events, which has been widely criticized.
General Togun, a former military intelligence officer under Babangida’s regime, had claimed in a recent interview that there was substantial evidence of Vatsa’s involvement in the coup and likened him to the late Brigadier General Bisalla, who was implicated in the 1976 coup that led to the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed.
Togun also claimed to have advised Babangida against including Vatsa in his cabinet.
However, the Vatsa family countered these assertions, arguing that their late patriarch was executed due to rivalry, not actual coup involvement.
They cited statements by respected military figures, including General Domkat Bali, who previously stated there was insufficient evidence to justify Vatsa’s execution.
“General Togun has already admitted that Vatsa’s killing was the result of rivalry, not treason. If Babangida and his men were truthful, how could a minister without command of troops be accused of leading a coup dominated by Air Force officers?
Were they planning to execute it in the air?” Jonathan Vatsa questioned.
The family also criticized Togun’s attempt to absolve the Babangida regime from responsibility in the assassination of journalist Dele Giwa.
They argued that a police investigation alone could not exonerate a military government from such a high-profile murder.
“The truth is like surgery—painful but permanently healing. Our leaders must learn to tell the truth so they can find peace,” Jonathan Vatsa concluded.
The Vatsa family reiterated their call for the late General Mamman Vatsa to be left to rest in peace, stating that those responsible for his death must live with their actions.
