March 4: Today in Nigeria history, Oladipo Diya and 46 political prisoners were freed by the military

According to Ambrose Bierce, history is an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knives, and soldiers, mostly fools.

When we reflect on the past or journey through time, we don’t do it for fun or excitement—we do it for education and learning.

WITHIN NIGERIA has highlighted two significant events that took place on March 4 in Nigeria history in an effort to raise awareness for educational purpose.

Military government freed 47 political prisoners including Gen. Oladipo Diya

On this date, March 4 in 1999, military government freed the remaining people imprisoned two years ago for plotting a coup against the late dictator General Sani Abacha, including Abacha’s deputy, Oladipo Diya, who was on death row.

Recall that Diya allegedly plotted to topple Sani Abacha’s government in 1997 with the help of military dissidents. Forces loyal to Abacha allegedly discovered the coup, leading to Diya and his cronies being imprisoned. Six individuals, including Lieutenant General Oladipo Diya, were sentenced to death by firing squad in April 1998 by a military court convened in the Nigerian town of Jos following his capture.

Politicians and human rights groups had long questioned why the army was still holding Lieutenant-General Diya and the others after they had released many of the alleged coup plotters, including General Olusegun Obasanjo, winner of the presidential ballot.

Suspected Boko Haram attacked Borno village, killed 14

On this date, 4th of March in 2020, no fewer than 14 persons were killed when suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a military base in Damboa local government area in Borno state.

The militants reportedly attacked the base in trucks fitted with machine guns at approximately 06:30 (local time).

More than 50 local residents were wounded by shrapnel from rocket-propelled grenades fired by the militants.

According to local sources, 13 of the insurgents were killed by a fighter jet supporting the Nigerian soldiers defending the base.