what happened to sergeant rogers and abacha’s hitman
Sergeant Barnabas Jabila, aka Sergeant Rogers, was a notorious hitman for General Sani Abacha’s regime in Nigeria. He was part of the Strike Force, a secret security outfit used to eliminate perceived enemies of the government, including journalists, activists, and opposition figures.
What Happened to Sergeant Rogers?
After Abacha’s death in 1998, Rogers was arrested and later testified before the Oputa Panel, Nigeria’s truth and reconciliation commission, where he confessed to carrying out assassinations and attacks on behalf of the regime. He admitted to attempting to kill Alex Ibru (the publisher of The Guardian newspaper) and the assassination of Kudirat Abiola (wife of Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 election).
However, Rogers was granted state pardon under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration as part of a deal for his testimony. He was released from detention and largely disappeared from public view.
What Happened to Other Hitmen in Abacha’s Strike Force?
Many members of the Strike Force were arrested, but some were later freed. Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Abacha’s chief security officer and the main coordinator of these operations, was sentenced to death in 2012 for Kudirat Abiola’s murder but was acquitted in 2013 due to insufficient evidence.
As for Sergeant Rogers today, his whereabouts remain unclear, but he is believed to be living quietly in Nigeria.
In 1996, Sergeant Rogers shot Chief Alex Ibru on top of the Falomo Bridge in Lagos. The bullets met him in one eye.
Alex, who owned The Guardian newspaper, was in transit on the bridge when the members of the Strike Force, led by Sergeant Rogers, in the Sani Abacha’s government, attacked him.
In 1993, after Abacha took over, he reportedly sent some top officers to convince Alex to join Abacha’s government as Minister of Internal Affairs. Alex refused their offer. Later He sent Chief Ebenezer Babatope who explained that Abacha wanted notable Southerners in his government to ensure balance.
Alex accepted and started working for Abacha. As Minister, he was the Vice Chair of the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) as his portfolio included customs, immigration and Prisons.
However, his newspaper was very critical of the Military government. Thus, on August 14, 1994, Abacha shut down the newspaper.
In 1990, Chief Great Ogboru, a man from Delta state (same state with Alex) reportedly organised the failed Gideon Orkar coup that almost killed the Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida in Dodan Barracks, Lagos. Ogboru escaped to London through Seme borders with the help of his own brother, Turner Ogboru.
Turner was arrested and imprisoned and Alex negotiated his release with the PRC. Abacha was said to be later influenced to reject Turner’s release even though Femi Falana had got a high court order to free him.
Abacha told Alex Ibru that Turner should remain in prison, but the instruction came late. “I am sorry Mr. President, we had a meeting, we all agreed they should be released and I have released them,” Alex said adding that the Attorney-General had approved the release.
Abacha was said to have gone angry and accused Alex of treason. Alex later resigned and returned to Lagos to continue with his businesses.
Friday, February 2, 1996, while on his way from the Federal Palace Hotel where he went for a board meeting, he was attacked.
“As soon as Rogers saw the car was descending, he got out of the car, shot into the air to scare motorists away and next thing went to Alex’s car.
“Because they were close to the police barracks, Alex thought it was the police people who were at it again, not knowing he was the target. Next thing, he looked up, there was a gunman next to the window. Rogers shut through that window the instant Alex turned sideways. The bullet hit him in his left eye and his head shifted, that was how he lost his left eye. Luckily, the right eye was saved because of that shift,” Maiden Ibru, his wife, said.
Alex was rushed to St. Nicholas Hospital. “Lo and behold, Rogers found his way to St. Nicholas hospital with his team but before then, we had already placed police people to provide security on all the stairs leading to Alex’s wardroom. They were not able to do anything,” Maiden added.
He was later rushed abroad in an air ambulance. He survived but lost an eye and two fingers. He lived for another 16 years before he died.
Source: Guardian, 22 November 2021.
