The cases of insecurity now plaguing Nigeria did not begin today, and when the subject of corruption and the high and mighty bending power to favour themselves is mentioned, it’s long been in existence. This can be traced to some of the wildest historic events that have played out in Nigeria’s history.
At different times in the Nigerian history, several mind blowing and back-breaking historic events have occurred, some have received justice while some still remain unsolved with questions unanswered till this very day.
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Here are 5 historic events that would leave you wondering and speechless;
1. The Underwear bomber
This was the story of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab who was born to a wealthy Nigerian banker and businessman who hailed from Katsina and was also the former chairman of First Bank, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab with his Yemen native wife . Farouk had all the privileges one could ask for being born into a wealthy family however, his life took a different turn when he attended Iman university in Yemen from 2004-2005 shortly after he was denied visa to the United Kingdom. Iman university had previously been linked to extremist teachings and strong ties with the al-Qaeda.
On Christmas day of 2009, Farouk attempted to bomb a Detroit bound plane from Amsterdam with an explosive device that was laced into his underwear making it difficult for airport security to detect. He was however stopped with the help of a courageous passenger and crew members . According to reports, his father had also alerted the US embassy in Abuja of his sons extremists behaviours and demanded for him to be watched closely. Farouk eventually pleaded guilty to an 8 count charge, while Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a militant group based in Yemen, said it was behind the attempted attack.
Till this day, he remains in one of the most secured prisons in the United States.
2. The Otokoto hotel’s ritual killings
In this 1996 historic incident, Imo state, Owerri was gripped in fear by residents and there was one name that held such capacity- Otokoto. According to reports, the event went south after an 11 year old was killed and dismembered by an alleged gardener and accomplice at the famous otokoto hotel identified as Innocent Eke Anywanu. The said gardener attempted taking his body parts to the said man who had ordered for them.
According to sources familiar with the incident, there had been cases of missing people allegedly used for rituals and buried in shallow graves within the premises of the hotel which was home to several eerie secretes.
Findings gathered revealed that Police were informed by the bike man who had conveyed the said gardener who was then apprehended. Additionally, a raid was carried out on the hotel and further investigations revealed some prominent businessmen and the owner of the hotel had been linked to the incident.
Following this, the mentioned names were then taken into custody while angry residents razed buildings and properties belonging to the men who had been linked to the otokoto legend. Residents had been fed up off the constant deaths and missing people. While some died in custody, others who were associated were charged and justice took its full cause, restoring peace to Owerri.
3. The 1993 Hijack
This was another shocking historic event that occurred in Nigeria. The event followed shortly after the annulment of the June 12 election widely believed to have been won by MKO Abiola. An Abuja bound flight from Lagos was hijacked by four young boys, Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenugaa, Benneth Oluwadaisi and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal believed to have been in their early twenties and armed with nothing but a gun, knives, tear gas and fuel. According to findings gathered, the boys had threatened to burn down the plane and all its passengers if their demands were not granted in 72 hours. Their demands? To have MKO recognized as president, reveal the truth about Dele Giwa’s death and to have democracy reinstated in Nigeria.
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Reports revealed that the plane had important dignitaries on board and that the hijackers had successfully diverted the plane’s destination however no country allowed them land , leading to an emergency landing in Niger republic as a result of insufficient jet fuel.
Within the first two hours of its landing, women and children were released leaving only about 40 passengers on board. As the deadline given by the hijackers approached, Niger military were forced to launch an emergency rescue operation, eventually over powering the hijackers and rescuing all left on board.
According to reports, the co pilot was unfortunately killed while a few others were injured including one of the hijackers. The 4 young men were held, apprehended and eventually deported back to Nigeria after a jail term of 9 years and a few months. Till date, the hijackers have kept a low profile except for Richard Ogunderu who is actively involved in youth advocacy. He also recently stated that he had no regrets.
Read Also: Has Nigeria happened to you? Unfortunate events average Nigerians suffer simply for being Nigerian
4. Taxi driver who became Nigeria’s most wanted man
Another shocking Nigerian historic event was the story of Lawrence Anini also known as “The Law”, an Edo born taxi driver who quickly rose to crime and became a fearless terror on the streets. Known for robbing banks, killing several people including police men and multiple robberies. Additionally, he was known for flashy clothes, chain smoking, a strong belief in native charms and a lavish lifestyle that was however short lived.
Following widespread claims that his charms made him invisible and untouchable, two of his boys were arrested in 1986. Following their prosecution despite paying huge sums in bribe, Anini felt betrayed. In response, he unleashed fear and terror with several more robberies among other crimes and death of 11 police officers in a few weeks. Nothing was off limits for Anini and his gangs.
According to reports, Anini had an inside man who was later identified as a senior police officer, George Iyamu who always tipped them off in the event of a raid in exchange for cash.
Anini was eventually traced by police led by SP kayode to his lovers house following the replacement of George Iyamu. He was shot twice on the leg and paraded around town. Everything eventually came to light and was eventually killed on March 29, 1987 by a firing squad with the entire town watching.
5. The non existent airport that was sold
Another shocking historical event that unfolded in Nigeria was the story of Emmanuel Nwunde who executed one of the highest fraud and scams in Nigeria’s history. He was an ex director at union bank Nigeria. One with access to quality education and connection. In the mid 90’s, Emmanuel successfully defrauded a Brazilian bank of around $242 million dollars in a bid to sell a non existent airport
He managed to persuade Nelson Sakaguchi, the director of Brazil’s Banco Noroeste bank, to invest in a fictitious new airport project in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. His historic scam, which was at the time the third-largest bank fraud in history, resulted in the collapse of Banco Noroeste in 2001.
To execute his masterful fraud, Nwude used his real-life experience as a director at the Union Bank of Nigeria to seamlessly assume the identity of the then Governor of the CBN. He also enlisted the assistance of several accomplices for the smooth execution of the operation, the outlet reported.
As part of Nigeria’s wildest historic events, Nwude’s conviction was the first major conviction for the then-newly established Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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He filed a lawsuit to reclaim some of his assets after being released from prison in 2006, arguing that they had been obtained before the offence. He was successful in recovering assets valued at $52 million. He also allegedly stated in 2021 that he had no knowledge of the $242 million airport swindle. He said that twenty years prior, he had been coerced into entering a guilty plea by his legal team.
While the above incidents may have happened at different times in Nigeria’s history, what’s more interesting is that events like these historic ones still occur. Insecurity and crime at its highest and people who walk free despite heinous involvements in corruption all because of one word- connection and network.
Truly, Nigeria is run by cabals
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