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Ken Saro-Wiwa And Abacha

Ken Saro-Wiwa could not believe what happened to him. Saro-Wiwa, a well-known Nigerian writer and leader who fought for the rights of the Ogoni people story shows how betrayal can have serious and tragic consequences.

Ken Saro-Wiwa never thought that General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s military ruler, would actually carry out his death sentence. On the day he was to be executed, Saro-Wiwa hoped that his sentence would be changed at the last minute. When the soldiers came to take him away, he kept asking if General Abacha knew what was happening. He resisted going to the execution point, protesting and asking for more time, believing that he would be saved at the very last moment.

To calm him down, the officers showed him the execution order signed by General Abacha. Saro-Wiwa insisted it was fake and demanded to speak with the general. The officer in charge told him that the only report his superiors wanted was news of his death. Desperate, Saro-Wiwa reminded his captors of his close relationship with General Abacha, recalling the times they played tennis together and the evenings they spent in the 1970s. He hoped that these memories would save his life.

Saro-Wiwa pleaded for his life, but his pleas were ignored. "Oh God," he cried, "let my pleas work." Tears filled his eyes as he realized this could be his last day on earth. He questioned what crimes he had committed, wondering why asking for his people to share in the wealth from their land was a crime. The land, polluted by oil spills, could no longer support farming or fishing.

Saro-Wiwa misinterpreted the officer’s dark expressions as signs of pity. He believed he deserved pity for his efforts during Nigeria’s civil war, which had saved thousands of Nigerian soldiers’ lives. He had organized guides to help Nigerian soldiers bypass enemy lines, a crucial move that helped end the war. For his efforts, Saro-Wiwa was appointed the Civilian Administrator of the port city of Bonny.

This history became a point of contention. Saro-Wiwa believed he had earned a stake in Nigeria because of his efforts during the war. He felt that the oil wealth should be shared with his people, the Ogoni, because their land produced the oil. However, his former allies believed they had already rewarded him with his appointments and that he should not interfere with the oil, regardless of its source.

In the eyes of those in power, Saro-Wiwa’s fate was sealed when he questioned the oil. His message to the oil-producing communities was clear: after his execution, none would dare question the ownership of the oil. When the captain gave the order, Saro-Wiwa was lifted up, struggling and protesting, and then tied up and killed.

During the Oputa Panel, a soldier revealed that Saro-Wiwa’s body was dissolved in acid. This gruesome detail shows the lengths to which those in power would go to silence dissent.

Saro-Wiwa, like many other young people from the Niger Delta, had studied on scholarships from Eastern Nigeria. Despite his betrayal, he was rewarded with many abandoned properties, including some previously belonging to Chief John Anyaehie. He and General Abacha even lived together in one of these properties.

Tragically, Saro-Wiwa’s son, Ken Jr., also died young. He passed away suddenly in London on October 18, 2016, at the age of 47, after suffering a stroke. The consequences of betrayal extended beyond Saro-Wiwa’s own life, impacting his family as well.

Before his arrest, Saro-Wiwa sought help from Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, the same man he had once betrayed. Ojukwu’s response, "Okokorokoooo," highlighted the irony and futility of Saro-Wiwa’s plea for help from those he had wronged.

Looking at Saro-Wiwa’s life and death, it is clear that his betrayal had far-reaching consequences. He betrayed those who supported him, aligning himself with forces that ultimately led to his death. His tragic end reminds us of the dangers of betrayal and the importance of staying true to the fight for justice and freedom.

Saro-Wiwa’s story is a powerful example of the high price of betrayal. It shows the need for unity and commitment to the cause of justice. Betrayal not only weakens the collective struggle but also leads to personal tragedy and a tarnished legacy. Ken Saro-Wiwa’s life and death serve as a somber reminder of the heavy cost of betrayal and the enduring importance of fighting for the rights and dignity of one’s people.