A former chief security officer to late head of state, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said that he has forgiven all those behind his ordeal and trial over the killing of Chief (Mrs) Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief Moshood Abiola.
Al-Mustapha said that despite the torture and long incarceration he suffered due to the machinations of some powerful individuals bent on unjustly punishing him, he decided to forgive all those responsible for his ordeal as soon as he was released from prison.
The former chief security officer to Abacha stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to him, he has since become friendly with some of his persecutors.
Al-Mustapha disclosed that he had even been offering financial assistance to one of such people, who physically tortured him while his ordeal lasted, but had now become incapacitated due to a serious injury he suffered in an auto crash.
He noted that he nursed no grudge against the officer because he was carrying out an order from his superiors, who instructed him to torture him in detention.
Al-Mustapha said, “I have forgiven everybody. From the very first day I stepped out of prison, I forgave everybody and that is why I am going round. Anywhere I see any of those who persecuted me, I stretch my hands warmly to them.
“Infact, I am particularly helping one of them. One of them who tortured me badly, is today incapacitated. He had a car accident and I am the one paying the school fees of his kids. That is how it is supposed to be. He was directed to do what he did to me, I survived it and thank God I am alive, but today look at his own situation. God subjected me to trial, God subjected him to trial and right now, God is subjecting me to trials. If I can show kindness to the younger ones and God willing, I am doing that, it tells us how life can be filled with twists.”
He added that since his release from prison, he took the decision to tour the entire country with a view to closing the yawning gap among youths across Nigeria.
The former CSO stressed that he remained committed to the development and molding of the country’s youths.
“Since my release, I have pursuing the agenda of going round the country to talk to the youths to make sure that we cement gaps and address tribal and religious differences , among other vices. This is what I’ve found myself doing and anytime any invitation comes to support the youths, I will never hesitate to do that. And remember as a lieutenant in 1984, this was one of the reasons I registered NYO, which pioneered youth association in Nigeria. I did it and founded them and many other ones too, in the North and the South. So, if one can give his contributions in molding our youths, then certainly you are rendering service to Nigeria, which is one of the reasons why I am here,” he said.
Al-Mustapha, however, said that contrary to speculations, he was not interested in seeking political office.
“My understanding of power is that to him that displays thirst for power, such should not be trusted with it. If it is the wish of God Almighty and the people, I will play a role. But for me to seek it, no, I won’t,” he said.
