Abacha, Sani
(b. 20 Sept. 1943, d. 8 June 1998). Nigerian dictator 1993–8 Born in Kano of the Hausa people, he was educated at the local government college before entering the army in 1962. He rose through its ranks to become major-general in 1984, and was part of the ruling Supreme Military Council (1984–5). A close colleague of
Babangida
, he supported his military coup in 1985 and was made Chief of Staff. He became Minister of Defence in 1990. Following Babangida's electoral defeat by
Abiola
in 1993, he became the most influential person in Nigeria, with only a brief period of civilian rule. He officially became ...