December 1985 alleged coup plot
Babangida’s government claimed to have prevented a coup attempt in December 1985 and to have apprehended individuals involved, among them Major General Mamman Vatsa. Vatsa was one of thirteen military officers who were given the death punishment for their roles in a plot to commit treason. Ten of the officers, including Vatsa, were put to death by firing squad in March of 1986.
April 1990 coup attempt
A group of military officers led by Major Gideon Orkar invaded Dodan Barracks on April 22nd, 1990, in an effort to topple the government of President Ibrahim Babangida. Senior military officers from other parts of the country declared their support for Babangida, and fighting ceased ten hours later. In July of 1990, 42 men were executed by firing squad for their roles in the failed coup.
August 1993 coup
Babangida resigned and appointed Ernest Shonekan interim president on August 26, 1993. General Sani Abacha overthrew Shonekan’s transitional government on 17 November 1993. This followed the annulment of presidential elections billed as the start of a Third Nigerian Republic. Abacha signed a decree in September 1994 that put his government above the courts, thereby giving him full power.
July 1995 alleged coup attempt
In July of 1995, Abacha’s regime handed down convictions against forty individuals on charges of organising a coup. Musa Yar’Adua and Olusegun Obasanjo, both former heads of state, were both among those who were put behind bars.
December 1997 alleged coup plot
Abacha’s regime declared in December 1997 that they had prevented a coup attempt led by his deputy, Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya, who had just survived an assassination attempt. Three further generals, five colonels, and three other high-ranking commanders were also detained. Many people thought the “coup” was only a pretext for a purge.
April 2004 alleged coup attempt
The democratically elected government of Olusegun Obasanjo said in April 2004 that it had arrested numerous military personnel in connection with a coup plot. It was believed that Abacha’s security chief, Hamza al-Mustapha, was involved.