Hamza Al-Mustapha, an army major and former
Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State,
Sani Abacha, recently floated a non-governmental
organisation, Al-Mustapha Unity and Development
Initiative.
In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, he speaks
on the mission of the organisation and its source
of funding as well as life after 15 years in
detention, his plan to return to the military, and
the allegation by former President Olusegun
Obasanjo that Mr. Al-Mustapha was heading a
killer squad for President Goodluck Jonathan
ahead of the 2015 general elections.
PT: What have you been doing since you returned
from detention?
Al-Mustapha : We were deliberately disconnected
from the society that we have been with for many
years before having served Nigeria, from my
commission to my arrest in 1998. So from 1998
to 2013 is a long period. So, for 15 years that
you’ve been kept out of the society you are
desirous of serving and you believe you owe a lot.
It is only normal that we continue to have a
reconnect as a directive from within our own
programmes from the north to the south. We
have built a lot of goodwill in the years past and
it is only normal that we see ourselves going
around for a reconnect.
PT: What is your impression of the recent
ceasefire agreement between the FG and the Boko
Haram?
Al-Mustapha : Where there are any operations
those who are deep into it are the ones that are
actually aware of the nitty-gritty involved. So, if
out of the surface or I don’t know about the
conception to the present state, it will be foolish
for me to be commenting on it. I prefer not to talk
if I’m ignorant of some topics, rather I am
confident to discuss or talk or contribute on any
matter that I am familiar with and I am aware of.
PT: How would you respond to the allegation by
former President Obasanjo that you are heading a
killer squad for President Jonathan?
Al-Mustapha : I have replied him that it is most
unfortunate. That is what I said. And for him to
have come up with that I’m sure he has no fact,
he has no figures, and he has nothing to say
other than what he has done. If he’s angry that
God has granted us freedom, that’s another thing
entirely. But to give such an allegation, weighty
as it is in the eyes of the law, certainly that is a
fundamental issue that cannot be brushed aside.
I challenge him to an open a debate as a direct
reply.
When he made that allegation in writing to the
president I was not in Nigeria. I was in India
treating the injuries he infected on me courtesy of
torture that he arranged on me since 15 years.
And while I was on hospital bed the information
came that a letter was written on such an
allegation. It’s most unfortunate. I wish being a
statesman, a former head of state (and) a former
senior military officer he should be able to
summon me, even to Otta. I’m ready to go
anywhere he wishes to discuss such issues. But I
was not and I am not to be counted among those
who have ill feelings against Nigeria. Rather we
are bridge builders; we are peace building
machine and we believe in peaceful coexistence of
Nigeria. It is the mission before us. So it was so
it is. We will not deviate from that.
PT: You’ve forgiven him?
Al-Mustapha : Of course, I have. Every other
person, even out of mischief, requires forgiveness.
It is strength to he that has forgiven and it a
lesson to he that initiated mischief. Mischief
cannot and will not have a sustained result no
matter who, where and when.
PT: What are your views about the presidential
ambition of some prominent northerners like
Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar?
Al-Mustapha : I am not a political party card-
carrying member. So I cannot comment on that.
I’m watching the way you, as a citizen, is
watching. We will keep watching. So, the interest
and desire of whatsoever as provided by the law
to provide leadership to Nigeria is therefore for
anybody to exercise.
You can aspire to contest for presidency
tomorrow and we look forward with delight where
young men will take up a challenge. Give it a
shot, try, if you can, as enshrined in the law.
While they are contesting we are also looking
particularly for younger ones to do so and to
provide leadership to Nigerians.
PT: What is your take on the entry of late Head of
State, Sani Abacha’s son into the governorship
race in Kano State?
Al-Mustapha : He is desirous of becoming an
aspirant. Mohammed Abacha is my younger
brother and where he has an interest, surely I will
also have an interest there. I don’t think he’s the
one contesting I’m the one pushing him to
contest.
PT: Are you supporting President Goodluck
Jonathan?
Al-Mustapha : The president is the president and
commander-in-chief and as a commander-in-
chief, he is the commander-in-chief to the
military and that is where I belong.
PT: Are you still in service?
Al-Mustapha : My matter will come up at the
Supreme Court and once it finishes everything will
be formally regularized and it will be one. I’m in
court.
PT: Right now you are not in the military?
Al-Mustapha : I’m in Supreme Court. You will hear
the outcome because it will be made public.
PT: You have an NGO called Al-Mustapha Unity
and Development Initiative. Who is funding it?
Al-Mustapha : Well-wishers and many of my
friends in and out of Nigeria! We are committed
to peace building assignment in our hands and
we believe we will add colours and make the
difference in Nigeria. We want a very peaceful
Nigeria. For many things to come, it will.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/171182-alleged-jonathans-election-killer-squad-al-mustapha-replies-obasanjo.html

Story for the gods.