Veteran broadcaster Sunny Irabor has recalled being awakened by soldiers in the early hours of the morning during the August 1985 military coup that brought General Ibrahim Babangida to power.
Speaking on The Legacy Series on Friday, July 3, 2026, Irabor recounted how he was summoned to the broadcast station shortly before the coup announcement, which was delivered by General Sani Abacha.
“When Babangida’s coup came in 1985, which Abacha announced, they came to wake me up at 3:00 a.m. I was just newly married. I opened the door and saw some soldiers. They said, ‘You are wanted at the station.’ I quickly went to the station and then the announcement was made. I didn’t make any announcement; our job was just to play the martial music,” Irabor said.
He explained that although broadcasters are often associated with military takeover announcements, his role was limited to ensuring martial music was played while the official proclamation was being transmitted.
