Former Military President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has categorically denied any involvement in the murder of renowned journalist Dele Giwa, the former editor of Newswatch magazine. Giwa was killed on October 19, 1986, when he opened a parcel containing a bomb at his Ikeja, Lagos home. The killing remains unsolved to this day, with the identities of the perpetrators still unknown.
The tragic death of Giwa, who was 39 years old at the time, marked a dark chapter for Nigerian journalism. His assassination also signified a significant blow to *Newswatch*, a magazine he co-founded with Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Mohammed, and Dan Agbese. Despite various investigations over the years, the circumstances surrounding his death have remained shrouded in mystery.
During the launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service, in Abuja on Thursday, IBB addressed questions about the Giwa murder and reiterated that he had no hand in the journalist’s death. “I keep hoping that the truth will be uncovered in our lifetime or after us. More often than not, mysterious crimes are solved long after their commission,” he said. IBB, who served as military leader of Nigeria during the period of Giwa’s death, reflected on the unresolved nature of the case and expressed hope that the real perpetrators would one day be brought to justice.
In his comments, IBB acknowledged the ongoing public perception that the government was responsible for Giwa’s death. “It was an attitude of ‘we versus the government’ that has remained today,” he noted, suggesting that many Nigerians continue to view the government as guilty, even in the absence of conclusive evidence. The statement underscores the deep mistrust that many citizens have towards the Nigerian government and its handling of sensitive matters.
IBB also referred to the reopening of the case during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. “When the Obasanjo civilian administration reopened the Giwa case at the Oputa Panel on Human and Civil Rights, I expected that the police and lawyers would come forward with new evidence as to their findings on the Giwa murder over the years,” he recalled. However, he expressed disappointment that no new evidence was brought forward, leading to the continued mystery surrounding Giwa’s death.
The murder of Dele Giwa has been a topic of national debate, with numerous theories and suspicions surrounding it. Despite the government’s efforts to investigate, the case remains cold, frustrating both the public and Giwa’s family. His son, Billy Giwa, who was the one to hand his father the deadly parcel that day, has long sought justice for his father’s tragic end.
IBB concluded his remarks by calling for a resolution to the case, expressing that he would like to see the truth unveiled either during his lifetime or after.
