How Chief Abraham Adesanya survived 40 bullets shot by Abacha’s Hitman

Chief Abraham Adesanya was nicknamed ‘Apamaku’ (one who survived death). This is because he was shot 40 times while he was returning from the office in 1997. None of the bullets touched him or his driver even though his car was riddled with bullets. He was 74 years old then.

Before the attack, Adesanya became the ‘Asiwaju of Yorubaland’ after the demise of Obafemi Awolowo. He was a part of the Afenifere and deputy leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a pro-democracy movement formed in 1994 to tackle the military in the aftermath of the cancelation of the June 12, 1993 election won by late MKO Abiola.

At the peak of military persecution, many of the then pro-democracy activists, including his leader in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Anthony Enahoro, fled the country and went into exile. Adesanya remained in Nigeria, working for the cause of the masses alongside such figures as Gani Fawehinmi, Femi Falana, Olisa Agbakoba and a host of others.

When General Sani Abacha, Babangida’s successor, attempted to transform from a military head of state to a civilian president, Adesanya stood against him.

On 14 January 1997, an attempt was made on Adesanya’s life. He had just left his law chambers in his chauffeur-driven car when Abacha’s killer squad led by Barnabas Jabila (Sergeant Rogers) struck.

The then-74 year old, who was the son of a famous and powerful traditional healer, told his driver to continue driving; assuring him that no single bullet would hit him or the driver.

By the time they were done, the windscreens of the car were shattered and the seats were perforated by bullets. Neither he nor his driver was injured. According to Wikipedia, the car, a Mercedes-Benz, was ultimately transferred to the ownership of a Lagos museum.

The elder statesman and pro-democracy activist died on April 27, 2008 at the age of 85.