By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi
NIGERIA’S former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd), spoke from Germany, yesterday, where he has been in the last few weeks.
IBB, as he is fondly called, declared he is alive, contrary to reports that he had died on Tuesday. He spoke on a Television Continental (TVC) programme yesterday and disclosed he will soon return home.
He told TVC crew: “I am alive.” Regardless, newsmen continued to lay siege to his Minna Hill-Top home.
Reports indicated everything seemed normal as the road and barricade leading to his home were manned by the same security men who have been guarding the house. Newsmen were not allowed to go close to the house as security men also warned against taking photographs.
There were no unusual movements of personalities, family members or visitation from any quarter as people and vehicles reportedly went about their normal businesses.
A family source told newsmen: “We are expecting General this week.”
Earlier information indicated that Babangida was due to return on Tuesday but did not. Another source, who declined to be named, further disclosed that the death rumour is false. “Nigerians should keep praying for him. If IBB were to be dead since last week as rumoured, by now, which is over three days, wouldn’t he have been brought back and be buried according to Islamic rites?”
Babangida’s family have also refused to speak on the matter.