Dele Giwa was a prominent Nigerian journalist and editor-in-chief of Newswatch magazine, known for his investigative reporting on government corruption and human rights abuses. He was assassinated on October 19, 1986, in Lagos, Nigeria, through a letter bomb delivered to his home. This marked Nigeria’s first assassination by parcel bomb, and the incident remains one of the most shocking and mysterious murders in the country’s history.
In the months leading up to his death, Giwa had written several articles critical of the Nigerian military government under General Ibrahim Babangida. Newswatch magazine, which Giwa co-founded, was known for its bold investigative reporting on sensitive issues, including drug trafficking, human rights violations, and military mismanagement.
In the weeks before the assassination, Giwa had been reportedly interrogated by the State Security Service (SSS) concerning his connections to certain political dissidents. This led many to suspect that he was being targeted by the government for his journalistic work.
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On the morning of October 19, 1986, a parcel was delivered to Giwa’s residence in Lagos. The package bore the seal of the Nigerian government, and it was reportedly delivered by a person in a government uniform, giving it an official appearance. When Giwa opened the package in the presence of his family and a friend, it exploded, killing him instantly. The force of the explosion was so powerful that it severely mutilated his body, leaving his torso dismembered.
Giwa's assassination sent shockwaves through Nigeria, leading to widespread public outcry and demands for justice. However, the investigation into his death was riddled with inconsistencies, and no one was ever officially charged or prosecuted for his murder.
Several high-profile individuals within the Nigerian government were accused of complicity in the assassination, most notably Babangida’s security chiefs, including Colonel Haliru Akilu and Lt. Col. A.K. Togun. Some theories suggested that Giwa's death was related to his investigations into drug trafficking involving high-level officials or to his critiques of the military regime.
Dele Giwa’s assassination remains unsolved, and it is considered a watershed moment in Nigeria’s history of press freedom and political oppression. His death highlighted the dangers faced by journalists who challenge the powerful in Nigeria, particularly during the era of military dictatorships.
In subsequent years, there have been various investigative efforts, books, and documentaries attempting to unravel the mystery behind who killed Dele Giwa. Yet, to this day, no conclusive evidence has been presented, and the case remains an open wound in Nigerian history, symbolizing impunity and the suppression of dissent.
Who k!ll€d Dele Giwa ? 🤔
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) September 23, 2024
The question yet to be answered till today!!
This is the story of How and why Dele Giwa was assassinated.
A must read
Repost to Educate someone pic.twitter.com/midEBiKo6m
Government Involvement: Many believe the Nigerian government was directly involved in the assassination, given the timing of Giwa’s investigative reporting and his confrontations with the State Security Service.
Drug Cartels: Some conspiracy theories point to Nigeria's powerful drug cartels, which might have been exposed by Giwa's investigative journalism.
Internal Conflicts: Another theory suggests that internal conflicts within the military regime may have led to Giwa being targeted as a warning to others who dared to challenge authority.
Dele Giwa’s death is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in politically unstable environments, and it continues to be a symbol of the need for justice and accountability in Nigeria.
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