Dennis Amachree, a former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), has provided new insights into the death of Nigeria’s former military ruler, General Sani Abacha. According to Amachree, Abacha passed away due to a heart attack, contradicting the popular theory that he was poisoned.
Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death on June 8, 1998, has long been the subject of speculation regarding the circumstances of his demise. Various narratives have circulated over the years, but Amachree’s account offers a different perspective based on firsthand investigation.
In an interview with TVC News, Amachree disclosed that investigators interviewed a woman who was present with Abacha shortly before his death. He described her testimony as the only direct eyewitness account of the events in the room. According to Amachree, the woman arrived at the residence accompanied by her sister, who reportedly had a prior acquaintance with the former leader.
“When she came to my office for questioning, her first words were, ‘I did not kill him.’ She was very straightforward. I found her credible because she had no motive to deceive me, and I ensured the questioning environment was non-threatening. Her report is the sole authentic eyewitness version of what transpired, as no one else was in that room with them,” Amachree explained.
Based on her statements and the evidence gathered during the investigation, Amachree concluded that Abacha likely suffered a fatal heart attack. The woman did not initially realize he had died while she was with him but later became aware that something was amiss. “In my assessment, his death was the result of a heart attack,” he affirmed.