Ex-DSS Director Claims Abacha Died During Intimate Encounter, Makes Fresh Revelations in New Memoir

By Online Editor

Ex-DSS Director Claims Abacha Died During Intimate Encounter, Makes Fresh Revelations in New Memoir

A former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has claimed that late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, died during an intimate encounter with a woman in June 1998, according to revelations contained in his newly released memoir.

Amachree made the claim in his book, DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield, where he recounted his experience as Assistant Dir ector of Operations and Intelligence at the Lagos DSS Command during Abacha’s final hours.

According to the retired intelligence officer, Abacha died at about 4:05 a.m. at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while in the company of a woman whom he identified only as the younger sister of the late military ruler’s girlfriend.

He alleged that the woman fled the Presidential Villa shortly after discovering Abacha was unresponsive and later boarded the first available flight from Abuja to Lagos.

What the Memoir Claims

According to Amachree, the two sisters arrived at the Aso Rock Guest House late on the night of June 7, 1998. He alleged that after a brief visit, the older sister returned to her hotel, leaving the younger sister alone with Abacha.

The memoir states that during the encounter, the woman noticed Abacha had become unresponsive.

Amachree wrote that the woman subsequently informed a soldier on duty that the Head of State had requested a vehicle to return her to the hotel. Unaware of the unfolding situation, the soldier arranged transportation.

He further claimed that the woman informed her sister at the hotel before being driven to the Abuja airport to catch an early morning flight to Lagos.

According to the retired DSS officer, the agency later tracked down and questioned the woman in Lagos.

Amachree quoted her as saying:

“I did not kill him, he died on top of me.”

He said he personally conducted the interrogation before she was flown back to Abuja on the instructions of the DSS headquarters.

Challenges Long-Standing Conspiracy Theories

Amachree argued that his account contradicts several long-standing theories about Abacha’s sudden death, including claims that he died after eating poisoned apples or while in the company of foreign women.

According to him, the woman’s testimony supports his conclusion that Abacha suffered a fatal cardiac event during the encounter.

Background

General Sani Abacha ruled Nigeria as military Head of State from November 1993 until his death on June 8, 1998.

His sudden death has remained one of the most debated events in Nigeria’s political history, spawning numerous rumours and conspiracy theories over the past three decades.

Abacha died barely a month before the death of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, who died in government custody in July 1998.

No Independent Verification

Amachree’s account is based on his personal recollections as presented in his memoir. The claims have not been independently verified, and they differ from several other narratives that have circulated regarding the circumstances of Abacha’s death over the years.