Soldiers of Fortune: A History of Nigeria

by Max Siollun

‘This book is the story of Nigeria’s political journey between December 31, 1983 and August 27, 1993. This is the story of how things fell apart.’The years between 1983 and 1993 were momentous for Nigeria. Military rule was a time of increased violence, rampant corruption, coups, coup plotting and coup baiting. It moulded the conditions and character of Nigeria today, forcing seismic changes on the political, economic and religious landscape that nearly tore the country apart on several occasions.Soldiers of Fortune is a fast-paced and thrilling narrative of the major events of the Buhari and Babangida era. The book draws on previously uncovered observations from interviews conducted with insiders (including a former member of the Brigade of Guards and Nigerian Airways personnel who witnessed the attempted kidnap of Umaru Dikko), to compile step-by-step dramatic reconstructions of disputed events and intrigues. Siollun’s fresh perspective challenges preconceived views to reveal the true story behind controversies of the the annulment of the June 12 election, the dubious execution of Mamman Vatsa, the foiled kidnapping of Umaru Dikko, the Orkar coup and the inconclusive case of the assassination of Dele Giwa.Historian Max Siollun gives an intimate, fly-on-the-wall portrait of the major events and dramatis personae of the period. He paints a vivid picture of leaders such as Ibrahim Babangida, whose ‘amiable personality, effusive charm and warm bonhomie’ distracted from his determined grip on power, political cunning and retention of detested laws. Siollun also relates anecdotes from how ‘pillow talk’ had a role in the 1983 coup, to the troubled final hours of the condemned Mamman Vatsa, childhood friend of Babangida. We are reminded of the important role played by civilians in supporting and sponsoring successive coups, and as such, we are forced to reassess apparent heroes such as the business tycoon, M.K.O Abiola.Alongside its close-up, dramatised narrative, Soldiers of Fortune also provides clear and detailed analysis of the period, revealing Nigerians’ complicity in the corruption of everyday life. It makes use of charts, lists and neatly delineated sections to pick apart the complex and often murky details of military rule, effectively demonstrating how the key events and protagonists of the period had a long-lasting impact which still resonates throughout Nigeria today.Both gripping and informative, Soldiers of Fortune is a must-read for all Nigerians and Nigeria-watchers. Its dramatic narrative style and clear attention to detail will engage casual, journalistic and academic readers alike.

Genres: Nigeria, History, Africa, Nonfiction

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2013

Reviews

[Imade (Bridge Four) Iyamu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me so much of 'This House has fallen' by Karl Maeir, because they are both full of thoroughly researched knowledge where every opinion, fact, myth and event is blended into one. But also because they're both so thoughtful. It could have been a cold recitation of hard facts but it wasn't just about the who, what, when and where. As a reader you feel immersed in the story and the richness, diversity and complexity of it all. In the history of Nigeria he shows us, things are hardly what they seem. It takes more than intellect to approach history from a human point of view, taking no sides or prejudices along and turning a distant history into a reality that affects us today and yet maintaining a hopeful optimism rooted in reality. It takes an empathetic human being to do that. And that is what Max Siollun shows himself to be. This book is good for all Nigerians, all Africans and particularly all humans who want to learn about the evolution of power.

[Ayo Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be embarrassingly honest: I didn't know so much about the Babangida administration before I read this book.

The author uncovers not only the actions taken during the Babangida administration, but the motives behind them. Actions that led to the formation of the untouchable "IBB Boys" which birthed to high service & indiscipline within the military, the killing of IBB's close friend Mammam Vatsa (to whom Babangida was best man), the failed Orkar coup of 1990, the mysterious letter bomb that killed Dele Giwa, the politicization of the military where generals are retired and then re-invited to head government parastatals, the deliberate concentration of power to the head of state by destroying all the apparatus of democracy and then the annulment of the June 12 elections.

1984-1993 was a time of squandered opportunity. Had the military returned power to the civilians, we might be telling a different story now.

In summary as written in the book, "the short-lived Buhari regime had zeal and identified correct areas of reform. But lacked the finesse and tactical flexibility to effect those reforms without creating opposition for itself...the Babangida regime lacked the moral authority and corrective impetus to stay on course without becoming distracted by internal personal agenda."

What was written about the Buhari regime still rings true today as a democratic president.

[Tosin Adeoti · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review of Max Siollun’s “Soldiers of Fortune: Nigerian Politics from Buhari to Babangida”. Max considers himself a lawyer and historian with extensive knowledge of Nigerian military history.

The book details the political and military rule of Nigerian between 1983 and 1993. The background for the book is the civilian rule of Shehu Shagari and thus became a primer for the narration of the coups which brought in Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida. The drama known as the June 12 election enjoyed a detailed account. In between these stories were narrations of attempted coups. The book was a pulsating read at times.

The book makes a lot of interesting points. One of them has to do with the nature of coups in Nigeria. While many think the interventions of the military in political affairs were necessitated by the incompetence and corruption of the civilian leaders, the truth is that the coups were opportunistic. The coups were planned first, and then their planners waited for the government to make mistakes that would justify the coup’s execution.

But this cannot justify the leadership of the civilians who displayed gross insensitivity to the affairs of the masses. As the people groaned under economic hardship, the then Minister of Transport, Umaru Dikko, responded that things were not so bad “since Nigerians were not yet eating out of dustbins.” Few things encompassed the attitude of the leaders to the led than this statement. To show the free rein given to corruption, President Shagari claimed that he pleaded with his ministers to stop embezzling state funds but was ignored. Shagari said he became exasperated, gave up and all he did from then on was pray.

#DoYouKnow When Shehu Shagari was removed during the Buhari 1983 coup, his eldest son was retired from the army, and another son was expelled from the Air Force Secondary School in Jos.

Something that would baffle a person just being initiated into Nigeria’s political history is the way the same set of people have been at the helms of affairs since the 1980s. Names like Murtala Nyako, David Mark, Bode George, Jonah Jang, and of course Muhammadu Buhari, among others have been around the political scene since the early 1980s.

How did many Northern boys get their start and dominate the army in the first place? They were carefully groomed. Buhari recalled that as a young man “the Emir of Kano told one of us that if soldiers could overthrow a line of kings descended directly from the Prophet, it could happen anywhere. So we should go and join the army.”

A great deal of the book was spent on the regime of Ibrahim Babangida. This is not surprising seeing that he ruled for 8 of the 10 years under consideration. During the years he was not in power, he was a key player. To ensure that he ruled for that long, the Babangida government executed more soldiers than any other government in Nigeria’s history.

Babangida’s execution of his bosom friend, Mamman Vatsa was a sad read. The execution of Major Bamidele was quite unfortunate. Bamidele had found out about the coup plot against Shagari and reported to Buhari. Unknown to Bamidele Buhari was one of the conspirators. To prevent Bamidele from leaking the plot, Buhari arrested and detained him. When Bamidele once again learned of the next coup plot, he kept quiet and did not report. This time he was arrested for not reporting the latest plot. His penalty? Execution through a firing squad.

Of the 117 people executed for coup plotting in Nigeria’s history, 78 were executed by the Babangida regime. That’s 60% of all executions for coup plotting in Nigeria’s history. This is astonishing considering Babangida ruled for only eight of the 28 years that Nigeria was under military rule.

The Orkar coup narration was particularly engrossing. Babangida’s government resembled an old boys’ network of personal friends and classmates. Soldiers with no political or economic experiences, mainly from the North, were put in charge of states as rewards for their loyalty. Soldiers from the Middle Belt and especially the Niger Delta felt emasculated. The author mentioned that even though oil on which the country runs was discovered in the Niger Delta, Babangida gave back a miserly 2% of the oil revenue to the region from as high as 50% in the 1950s. These soldiers’ dissatisfaction was justified. In the end, the coup failed and Babangida showed force. A story was told of one of the coup plotters who was wounded during the coup. Babangida asked that he be flowned abroad for treatment. On his return he was executed.

Babangida made corruption into an art form. In 1991, he spent about 2% of the national budget on cars alone to military officers as a way of buying their loyalty in a scheme called IBB spirit. For perspective, that’s 178 billion in 2019 budget. He introduced the First Lady Syndrome into Nigerian politics with Maryam Babangida leading the way as the wives of state governors tried to outdo themselves in flouting glamorous lifestyles.

The extent of the corruption in the Babangida regime is symbolized by the Gulf War Oil Windfall in which between 1988 and 1994, $12.2 billion from crude oil accounts mysteriously disappeared. Babangida may as well be the most corrupt leader in Nigerian history. When the US committee set up to look into the operations of the collapsed bank, BCCI, around the world, looked into its operations in Nigeria, the bank was said to have adapted itself to the conditions already present in Nigeria. The bank’s activities in Nigeria were distinguished by a staggering Nigerianised brand of corruption far exceeding what the bank perpetrated in other countries. This is huge when you realize that BCCI is a giant in international money laundering.

What surprised me about the regime of Babangida was the extent at which some of Nigeria’s most respected intellectuals accepted and urged it on. As Gani Fawehinmi fought the government over the alleged government-led killing of respected journalist Dele Giwa and the unconstitutional office of the First Lady, among other atrocities, Wole Soyinka and Tai Solarin accepted appointments in this bankrupt government. As Babangida gagged the press, dillydallied on handling over power to civilians, banned and unbanned and again banned political parties for the 1993 elections, nothing was heard from them. It was stupefying to me.

Babangida was eventually disgraced out of office as he annulled the June 12 elections which should have brought MKO Abiola into power. The author endeavoured to put the blame of the annulment on Sani Abacha with a convincing narration of pressures put on the self-appointed President in military uniform, but the jury is out on how things really panned out.

#DoYouKnow David Mark, as a Brigadier, was quoted as saying in 1993, “I’d shoot Chief Abiola the day NEC pronounces him the elected president”. Nigerians still allowed him become Senate President in 2007. A people with a poor sense of history.

One of my few qualms with the book is the attempt to paint the Babangida regime as operating a capitalistic economic system. For a man who rebuffed the conditions of the IMF by rejecting the loan, and instead came up with his own debilitating SAP policies which immiserated the masses while he was milking the country dry, the author showed a poor grasp of economic realities.

IBB did the country ‘bad’ and will forever be fingered in even worse things to come in enabling the reign of a man whom he says, “may not be bright upstairs but knows how to overthrow governments and overpower coup plotters.”

This was a great read and highly recommended for all Nigerians as those who do not know their history’s mistakes are doomed to repeat them.

[Agbonmire · Rating 4 out of 5]

IBB so played with Nigeria that he overplayed himself and ran to his palace in Minna to hide.

[Tunde Ajao · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful book, Siollum explains the thinking behind the soldiers and their philosophy. The role of the business oriented civilians and the intelligentsia in creating an environment for coups. It shows how the young inexperience officers of the first Nigerian coup had open a can of worms.

Except for IBB, it shows that none of the previous leaders wanted to rule Nigeria or had the experience or knowledge to rule. IBB processed the necessary experience, intelligence and cunning to rule. Whether you hate him or like him he was able to paint a Machiavellian picture of this individual. As Niccolò Machiavelli said "Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception", and yes, we were deceived.

[Afolabi Adekaiyaoja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough academic insight into the Buhari (less so) and Babangida (more so) regimes. Might have benefited from more analysis of the Shagari regime but still does a good job.

Less of a page turner than the former book in the military history series but still gripping and provides very good points for discussion

[Abdulfattah Popoola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insights into what happened during the Nigerian coup years. I am glad the book provided another perspective into the events leading to and the aftermath of the June 12 annulled elections. Great book and gripping insights.

[Emmanuel-francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A military coup is not a benign political intervention; it is an act of mutiny against the armed forces and of treason against the nation. It involves the declaration of war by a section of the military against the rest of its country. It is a regression from the lofty claims of equality offered by democracy and the return of an old, simple rule: They who kill best, rule.

Brigadier Sani Abacha captured that idea in his speech announcing the third successful pronunciamento in Nigerian history. He said, ‘People are warned in their own interest to be law abiding and to give the Federal Military Government maximum cooperation. Anyone caught disturbing public order will be summarily dealt with’.

In Soldiers of Fortune: A History of Nigeria (1983-1993), the historian, Max Siollun, continues where he left off in his earlier book, Oil, Politics and Violence. It is not a definitive history of Nigeria between January 1, 1984, and August 27, 1993. There are too few Nigerians featured in the book for it to be that. Neither is it even a definitive history of military rule in that era. Other than the facts of their appointment, military rule in the states is not examined. The status of the military’s professional wing is mentioned only in the context of its political wing. And although the economy gets examined briefly, it is done cursorily.

Taken on its terms, as a history of high-level politics within the military regimes that ruled Nigeria from 1983 to 1993, it is the best examination that I know. It was delightful to read. Even in places where I am knowledgeable, it offered new insights. In the many areas where I was ignorant, and in those places where my earlier knowledge was wrong, I now know better. My biggest revelation is that what is normally referred to as the ‘Orkar coup’ is better thought of as the Mukoro/Ogburu coup.

My one complaint about the book is the comparatively shallow treatment of the Buhari regime. Everything underwhelming about that section evaporates when Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and Sani Abacha come into their own more fully in its pages. Just as Nigeria in its current iteration is their country, so too is this book theirs.

The 14 chapters of this book are a tragedy in the classical sense. Our protagonists are invariably undone by the very strengths that made them. This is seen most clearly in the person of Chief MKO Abiola. His doomed struggle for the mandate of governance granted him by the Nigerian people in 1993 has turned him into a secular saint, in present-day Nigeria. We know how his story ends; in this book, we see it unfolding. Thus it is clear that the fierce-mindedness and independent streak that made him the military friends who he helped topple governments while they helped expand his fortune also made him the many enemies who eventually sealed his doom. His trust of those very same friends to act in his interests was also proven to be fool's gold.

As Nigerians were forced outside the political arena, politics came to be dominated by cliques revolving around certain elements in the military. These networks were either ethnic-based or, as in the case of the IBB boys, based on sheer charisma alone. These cliques, with their latent threat of a coup if their interests got threatened, were essentially feudal structures.

The major events in the book are bookended by the three great friendships of IBB with Generals Vatsa and Abacha, and with a civilian, Abiola. He acquiesced to the execution of General Vatsa because he threatened his power and sanctioned the theft of Abiola’s mandate because it threatened his life. He was eternally grateful to General Abacha because he saved his life. Later, that gratitude morphed into terror when he realised that Abacha had suborned parts of his network.

The men who ruled Nigeria between 1983 and 1993 made this country. They normalised the infliction of State terror on civilians, entrenched corruption, shut the door on an earlier era of free political expression, became rogue actors abroad, destroyed student activism, created the current governing structure, ignored the initial flares of our security crises, undermined rival security apparatuses out of paranoia and destroyed the collegial ideals of collective governance inherited from the British. They replaced that with an overweening Executive office whose occupant ruled as a despot. They and members of their network rule us still. We all live in their country.

Mr Siollun has done a national service by penning what is often a magnificent book. Read it and learn.

[Firdaws · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am on a max siollun marathon this year. What britain did to Nigeria impressed me soo much I picked this book. It takes us through the military coup from 1983-1993 with a big focus on Babangida regime and a glimose into others like Buhari as well as the infamous June 12 anullment. It allows us to know more than just the news headline but the parties involved, the stories that led up to what was the stepping down of Babangida. All in all , our leaders are just recycled even in 2025. Everyone of them in one way or the other played a role during the military regime. For someone born during the democratic rule, i learned a lot of things no news or documenatry will make privy to me. This also makes me a bit more annoyed that when these past leaders eventually write a book, they carry the dishonesty from their hey days into it. I iwhs Babangida gave us a bit more truth especially with regards Dele Giwa, Jun 12 and Mamman Vasta

[Olanrewaju Olamide · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some books that give you so much information after you finish reading them. This is one of those books. I really loved this book as it has filled me in on a lot of information about Nigeria's past, an area where I was clearly lacking.

However, I'm not giving it the full five stars because the books was mostly about Babangida's regime. Although it covered Buhari's regime, it mainly focuses on Babangida's regime. This is even more so as the book ends when Babangida leaves office.

Now, I'll have to start looking for a book that covers the Abacha regime.

In all, it was a good read. I'm happy to have read it.

[Abdulrazaq Balogun · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthusiastic Nigeria would want to know how did we get to this level of poverty, stunted development across all developmental section, tribal bigotry.

It's imperative for any young Nigeria to know the details of the journey so far if you don't know where we are coming from how will you know where we are heading towards, How come Military retirees are been recycled in today's politics and the source of Godfatherism in Nigeria Politics, There are clear indicator as to why June 12 was annulled if one pay attention and connect the dots across various chapters of this book

[Wildlifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard the name Babangida, since i was a kid (through my father and school teachers as well as International news broadcasters like BBC, and our Own national broadcaster (Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam). But i never new much about him, till i read this book.

This is a well researched book about Nigerian Politics in the era of military rule esp from 1970s to 1980s. A dominant name is Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (famously IBB) in this book, i've come to know that, there is another expertise which i never thought of —COUP PLANNING AND GOVERNMENT OVERTHROWING

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant...just brilliant!! Captivating from start to finish. I really enjoyed this book as it got me hooked till the very end. I learnt so much about Nigerian governance under the military. I recommend this for every Nigerian youth. Will definitely be getting Nigeria’s Soldiers of Fortune right away!!!

[Afzal Gital · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gives good understanding of how things never settled right since the Nigerian independence. One begins to understand that somehow, political and military career were means to power and maintaining it in Nigeria, with the military having an upper hand, even after they retire and join the purely political arena.

[Ife Afolabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! Quickest read this year.
I like it when an author finds a way to write about history in such a way that it is not too boring to read. Max Siollun definitely did a good job at making sure that this was an interesting read! Can’t wait to read the sister books.

[Bondi Bilala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling account of military rule in Nigeria. So well researched and sheds light on the issues that have plagued the country for four decades.

[Chuka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very expository book, inner wrangling in the military government and explains to a large extent the background behind the state of affairs in Nigeria today.

[Essien Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most authoritative account of the years of the Nigerian Military in power.
The references are incredible

[Ovie Edafe]

nice

[Chukwunonso Ezeiru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written history. Just as history should be told, without bias.

[Tosin · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read

What a great read. Understanding Nigeria’s history is key to understanding where she is today.
So I highly recommend. Good book

[Emeka Onyeagwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A should read on Nigerian Political landscape.

[Adebayo Adegbembo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read like its predecessor 'Oil, Politcs and Violence'. Hard to read without muttering curses at the principals of Nigeria's ills as we know them today. Reading about how the army turned on itself including brilliant minds among them from one coup to another made me sad. A part of me couldn't help the thought of karma given most of the coups were championed by the very soldiers who were the principal actors in the Igbo pogrom, counter-coup of 1966 and the civil war. Still, it hurt to see lives snuffed out on the stakes in public view by fellow comrades. The shabbiness of some like the Vatsa coup followed by revelations in hindsight by the likes of the late Domkat Bali further underscores the depth of the madness at the time. In the end, the saddest reality is that the same soldiers who sowed the seeds of the mess we are currently dealing with are still alive unaccountable for their deeds.

[Goke Pelemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great summary of the political posture of the military in Nigeria

Being a child of the late 80s, the stories that I heard and the political unrest I experienced in Nigerian society while I was growing up has a new meaning for me now. This is an enrichment of sorts with more real information about what was going on in our governments. The coups, riots, property seizures, some really close to home, all start to make sense.

Anyone who is interested in Nigerian history or the roots of some of the insecurity in our polity will be doing themselves a huge service by reading this book.

[Olatokunbo Ishmael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history of how Nigeria got to its present state

Max takes the reader back in time as though they witnessed the shenanigans of Nigerian's 'past' military and political leaders first hand. Many of whom are still featuring in Nigeria's political theatre in 2015. This is a must read as the nation embarks on Buhari Leadership 2.0

[Babajide Ajayi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book that details the history of Nigerian politics in the period between 1983 and 1993.
It reviews the events of the period and with hindsight can articulate the damaging role this period played in the life of the Nigerian society and how that continues to affect the country today.
Very good read.

[Mena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a well-researched and gripping read. Nigeria's history really is stranger than fiction...it's beyond tragic that so many of the problems these military regimes claimed to want to fix are still plaguing us today.

[Ogba Kenneth]

Nice