Nigeria News (Standard)
Ex-DSS Director Dennis Amachree Dismisses Poison Theory, Says Abacha Died of Heart Attack in Abuja
Twenty-eight years after the former head of state’s death, Amachree insists DSS investigation found no evidence of poisoning
Twenty-eight years after the former head of state’s death, Amachree insists DSS investigation found no evidence of poisoning
Former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has stated that late General Sani Abacha, who died in Abuja on 8 June 1998, was not poisoned as widely speculated but suffered a heart attack. Amachree made this disclosure during an interview about his new book, challenging one of Nigeria’s most debated political mysteries nearly three decades on.
Amachree explained that following Abacha’s sudden demise at Aso Rock, security agencies immediately launched an investigation. He said many Nigerians believed rumours that the former military ruler had been poisoned by foreign agents or political rivals, particularly with stories alleging a ‘poisoned apple.’ However, the former DSS official stressed that investigators found no evidence to support any theory of assassination or food poisoning.
Abacha’s death at age 54 fuelled decades of speculation partly due to the secrecy surrounding his final hours and the absence of any publicly released autopsy. His regime remains controversial for alleged human rights abuses and corruption, yet some supporters still credit him with stabilising the economy and building up Nigeria’s foreign reserves. The lack of clear information has allowed various conspiracy theories to thrive among Nigerians.
During the probe, Amachree said DSS operatives questioned a woman who was reportedly with Abacha before he died. He recounted: “The girl who was with him when he died was later brought to me for questioning. When she entered my office, the first thing she said was, ‘I did not kill him.’ She was very direct about it.” According to Amachree, her account remained consistent under interrogation and provided crucial insight into Abacha’s final moments. “From everything she told me and from what I gathered during the investigation, I strongly believe it was a heart attack,” he concluded.
Amachree’s comments are expected to renew debate about the circumstances of Abacha’s passing but may not put an end to public interest in one of Nigeria’s most talked-about political deaths. Other officials and stakeholders have given conflicting accounts over the years. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment on Amachree’s statement.
Nigeria News (Standard)
FG Auctions ₦6.15bn Drug Assets in Lagos, Akure as NDLEA Sells Victoria Island Hotel
Estate firms acquire seized properties in major public auction; four assets withdrawn for not meeting reserve price
Estate firms acquire seized properties in major public auction; four assets withdrawn for not meeting reserve price
The Federal Government on Monday concluded the public auction of assets forfeited by convicted drug traffickers, generating over ₦6.14 billion in revenue from high-value properties in Lagos and Akure. The exercise, which took place in Abuja under the supervision of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Federal Ministry of Justice, saw a six-storey luxury hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos sold for ₦5.9 billion—the largest single asset in the auction.
According to Tamarantare Francis Ali-Bozi, Head of Asset Recovery and Management Unit at the Ministry of Justice, a total of four major properties were successfully handed over to new corporate owners after meeting government reserve prices. These include the Victoria Island hotel acquired by Tope Ojo and Tunde Olonishakin Estate Firm; a commercial/residential property in Lekki Phase 1 bought by FSS Limited for ₦219.5 million; a block of flats in Ejigbo secured by A-BNB Global Innovations Limited for ₦104 million; and a residential property in Akure purchased by Fazeen Global Link Limited for ₦29.36 million.
The NDLEA confirmed that all assets auctioned had been permanently confiscated following final court orders linked to high-profile narcotics cases. Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said four other properties listed for sale did not meet their minimum valuation and were therefore withdrawn from the auction floor. “Those properties will be considered for future disposal once they attract qualifying bids,” Babafemi stated during the bid announcement.
The asset disposal marks one of Nigeria’s most significant recoveries under the Proceeds of Crime Act, reflecting government efforts to deter drug trafficking through aggressive forfeiture measures. Experts say such auctions not only raise funds for public use but also send a message that crime will not pay. The Ministry of Justice assured that proceeds would be remitted into federal coffers for development projects.
With this round concluded, stakeholders expect more asset auctions as court-ordered forfeitures increase amid ongoing anti-narcotics operations nationwide.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/ndlea-forfeited-properties-auction-lagos-2026061711284118086
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos-Based Pulse Marketing Wins Double Bronze at Pitcher Awards, Delivers 1.98 Million Engagements
Agency’s targeted digital campaigns for Honey and Banana, Salonpas spark industry debate on measurable impact in Nigerian marketing
Agency’s targeted digital campaigns for Honey and Banana, Salonpas spark industry debate on measurable impact in Nigerian marketing
Pulse Marketing, a leading agency headquartered in Lagos, secured two Bronze medals and one shortlist placement at the recently concluded Pitcher Awards, with both winning entries focused on measurable business results rather than mere brand visibility. The awards ceremony took place on Monday, 17 June 2026, drawing stakeholders from across Nigeria’s advertising and marketing sectors.
The agency was recognised for its data-driven approach in two major campaigns. For Honey and Banana, a health initiative operating in a culturally sensitive category, Pulse Marketing designed a digital-first strategy targeting mobile users during specific call centre hours. By leveraging platforms like Transsion and Eskimi, the campaign created private channels for engagement while remaining mindful of regional sensitivities—especially in Northern Nigeria. The team responded to concerns about radio placements by reallocating investment to digital media. This operational flexibility resulted in nearly 1.98 million click-to-action engagements and more than 63,000 inbound calls, according to figures provided by the agency.
The second Bronze-winning campaign, titled ‘Behind the Hustle,’ was executed for Salonpas, a topical pain relief brand from Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical. Rather than traditional celebrity endorsements, Pulse Marketing opted to partner directly with fitness communities at select i-Fitness gyms in Lagos—including locations in Jakande, Yaba and Gbagada—placing Salonpas products within authentic workout environments. The aim was to reach active professionals seeking alternatives to oral medication through peer influence and contextual relevance.
Industry observers say these wins reflect shifting expectations among Nigerian brands under economic pressure. “Brands are no longer satisfied with just awareness; they want real business results,” said a senior official at the Lagos Advertising Practitioners Council who attended the awards event. Pulse Marketing also noted that effective campaigns must align with operational realities on ground: “For us, marketing goes beyond visibility—it’s about creating meaningful connections that translate into measurable outcomes,” an agency spokesperson said in a written statement.
With scrutiny on marketing spend rising as Nigeria faces persistent inflation—most recently reported at 33.7 percent by the National Bureau of Statistics—analysts believe campaigns that combine cultural sensitivity with disciplined media planning will shape the next phase of Africa’s marketing industry. Pulse Marketing’s performance at the Pitcher Awards is seen as evidence that creativity paired with operational discipline delivers both industry accolades and tangible business impact.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abdulsalami Abubakar Dismisses Poisoning Rumours, Reveals Autopsy Found MKO Abiola Died of Natural Causes
Former Head of State cites international autopsy and Abiola’s medical history in new autobiography launched in Abuja
Former Head of State cites international autopsy and Abiola’s medical history in new autobiography launched in Abuja
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has refuted long-standing claims that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was poisoned while in detention, stating that an international autopsy confirmed the June 12 icon died of natural causes. Abdulsalami made this disclosure in Abuja on Monday during the launch of his autobiography, ‘Call of Duty’, held as part of his 84th birthday celebrations.
In the book, Abdulsalami revisited the circumstances around Abiola’s death on 7 July 1998, which occurred during a meeting with a delegation from the United States government. The delegation included Tom Pickering, then US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, and Susan Rice, then Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. Shortly after the meeting began at an undisclosed Abuja location, Abiola developed a severe cough and complained of feeling hot before collapsing. A doctor was immediately called in and later pronounced him dead from what was diagnosed as a heart attack.
The development reignited decades-old suspicions among many Nigerians that Abiola had been poisoned—particularly theories focusing on a cup of tea served during the meeting. Abdulsalami, however, wrote: “I do not believe Abiola was poisoned. The family requested an autopsy and we assembled American, British, Nigerian and Canadian pathologists to conduct it. The autopsy report attributed his death to natural causes.” He further noted that medical records dating back to 1994 showed Abiola had pre-existing health conditions including hypertension and an enlarged heart consistent with hypertensive heart disease.
Drawing from Susan Rice’s memoir ‘Tough Love’, Abdulsalami described how Abiola began coughing severely almost as soon as the meeting started before suffering breathing difficulties and being rushed for urgent medical attention. “Efforts to save him were unsuccessful,” he added, citing also Tom Pickering’s account that detailed how visibly distressed Abiola became before he passed away. The former Head of State also recalled receiving news from his Chief Security Officer Abdulrasheed Aliyu: “Aliyu, my CSO, called me. As soon as I picked, he said in a shaky voice that there was a problem… He said Abiola was dead. My head went blank.”
Beyond clarifying the cause of death, Abdulsalami used his autobiography to address other key moments in Nigeria’s political history—including the annulment of the June 12 presidential election—and to counter persistent rumours surrounding deaths under military rule. As at press time, opposition figures could not be immediately reached for comment on Abdulsalami’s revelations.
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