- By Opeyemi Kamil and Halimah Olamide
A former Chief of General Staff under the late Gen Sani Abacha, Lt. General Oladipo Diya has died.
NPO Reports gathered early Sunday morning that the former Military Governor of Ogun State died in the early hours after a protracted battle with an undisclosed disease.
He was said to have died in Lagos .
Attempts by the NPO Reports to confirm from a family member was yet to be successful as at press time.
However, a short statement purportedly released by one of his children confirmed the demise of the former military man who was accused of being involved in a coup attempt against Abacha in 1996.
The statement read: On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; We announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.
“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.
Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.
“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”
General Oladipa Diya was the second in command to the Nigerian Head of state from November 1993 to December 1997 when he was arrested by the Abacha government and charged with treason .
Diya and the 11 others were accused of allegedly planning to overthrow the government of the Sani Abacha.
He was later sentenced to death but this was commuted to 25 years in jail.
NPO Reports gathered that Diya who later became a lawyer had been on a sick bed for some time before now.
More details to follow…