Former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has challenged former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd.), to provide evidence if he disputes the account of Abacha’s final moments contained in his memoir.
Amachree, author of the book titled “DSS@40”, said Al-Mustapha should present verifiable proof, including CCTV footage if available, instead of dismissing the account as untrue.
He maintained that the publication underwent the DSS’s internal review process before it was released and received the agency’s approval as part of activities commemorating its 40th anniversary.
According to Amachree, the DSS not only cleared the book for publication but also invited him from the United States to participate in its official launch, which was attended by senior security officials, state directors of the service and members of the diplomatic corps.
Reacting to Al-Mustapha’s criticism, Amachree said the former military officer should counter the claims in the book with evidence rather than resorting to personal remarks.
He also dismissed Al-Mustapha’s reference to him as “a boy,” arguing that his career progression within the DSS reflected his seniority and experience.
“I was seven years old when Nigeria gained independence,” Amachree said during a telephone interview.
“I retired as an Assistant Director, which in army terms is equivalent to a Brigadier, while Al-Mustapha retired as a Major.”
Amachree further insisted that if Al-Mustapha possesses firsthand knowledge of the events surrounding Abacha’s final hours, he should make available CCTV footage or any other credible evidence to support his version of events rather than relying on public denials.
