If Not For Al-Mustapha, Abacha Would’ve Killed My Father In 1998 – Lar’s Daughter

Hamza Al-MustaphaRep. Benny Lar, daughter of the late first executive governor of Plateau State and pioneer national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Lar, who died last week in the U.S, has recalled how Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, saved her father from elimination on the orders of the military dictator in 1998.

Rep. Lar, who represents Langtang North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made this known when Major Al-Mustapha paid a condolence visit to the Lar’s family at their Abuja residence at the weekend.

According to the lawmaker, had it not been for the intervention of the former presidential security aide, her father would have been assassinated in 1998.

The Abacha regime was notorious for sending a special hit squad after known opponents of the government especially pro-democracy advocates and the late Chief Lar, who was a member of the G34 that had the likes of Dr Alex Ekwueme, the late Chief Bola Ige, among others, were in the forefront for the return of democracy to the country.

Rep. Lar said her father was marked for elimination after he took a letter written by the group to the late dark-goggle wearing dictator, demanding the exit of the military from the political scene and the unconditional release of all political detainees.

But the plot to assassinate the late elder statesman was leaked by Major Al-Mustapha, who was a kitchen-cabinet member of that regime thereby allowing him to escape unhurt.

In Rep. Lar’s words, “Baba spoke glowingly about you and he called me many years ago, telling me about you. I was in America during that period.

“I didn’t really know what was going on, but wanted me to know you and to meet you. He said any day and any time you meet that man, say a thank you to him for what he did for your father,” she said to Al-Mustapha.

Speaking earlier, Major Al-Mustapha, who had earlier embarked on an appreciation tour to the Gwagwalada Emirate, said he learned a lot of lessons from the late Chief  Lar, who he said was like a father to him.

-Nigerian Tribune