On June 23, 1994, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, was arrested Thursday night and charged with treason after declaring himself President of Nigeria.
Abiola made the declaration Wednesday at a rally in Lagos’ Tafawa Balewa Square, invoking a “mandate given by Nigerians” and swearing himself in as head of state.
The event ended with him calling for civil disobedience against the military government led by General Sani Abacha.
Security forces moved in at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Abiola was detained at his Ikeja residence and taken to an undisclosed location.
A military spokesman confirmed the arrest Friday morning, saying Abiola would face charges of treason, an offense punishable by death under Nigerian law.
“Declaring himself president constitutes a direct challenge to the Federal Government and the Constitution,” the spokesman said.
86 Feared Dead as Berom Farmers, Fulani Herders Clash in Plateau
At least 86 people were killed and dozens of homes razed this week in renewed violence between ethnic Berom farmers and Fulani herders across Plateau State, police and community leaders confirmed.
The clashes, which began Monday June 18 in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi LGA, escalated over several days into attacks on villages in Riyom and Jos South LGAs.
Survivors said the attacks were carried out in waves, mostly at night, with attackers on motorcycles and on foot.
Plateau State Police Command PRO, DSP Terna Tyopev, said 86 bodies had been recovered and deposited at hospitals in Barkin Ladi, Jos, and Foron as of Friday evening.
“Many people are still missing. We are counting corpses and treating the wounded,” said Solomon Mwantiri, chairman of Berom Youth Moulders Association.
He said over 50 houses, 3 churches, and food barns were burned in NTV, Ruku, Exland, and Gana-Ropp villages.
The violence stems from long-standing disputes over land and grazing routes. Berom farmers accuse herders of destroying crops and grazing on farmlands. Fulani community leaders allege their cattle were rustled and herders killed in retaliatory attacks weeks earlier.
