Major Seun Fadipe’s journey into the Nigerian military was anything but ordinary. From working as a clerical officer at the Command and Staff College to becoming a key player in one of Nigeria’s most infamous coup plots, Fadipe’s story is one of determination, loyalty, and unexpected twists.
In an exclusive interview with Sun newspaper, Fadipe recounted how his entry into the military was purely by chance. “My journey into the military was by accident,” he revealed. “I never planned to join the army. I was working as a clerk at the Command and Staff College when a retired colonel encouraged me to join the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).”
Fadipe’s academic brilliance, which had been evident since his primary school days, played a significant role in his success at the NDA. “I was always a brilliant student,” Fadipe said. “From primary school to secondary school, I was always at the top of my class. That brilliance followed me to the NDA, where I graduated as the best all-round cadet.”
Despite his academic success, Fadipe’s path was not without challenges. His decision to join the Ordnance Corps, a branch of the military often associated with corruption, raised eyebrows among his peers. “A lot of senior officers were not happy with me because they believed that being the best graduating cadet, I should have gone to a more prestigious corps,” Fadipe recalled. “But I chose Ordnance because I wanted to prove that you could serve in any branch of the military with integrity.”
Fadipe’s dedication to his duties eventually led him to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), where he became a key figure in the intelligence community. His loyalty and competence caught the attention of Lt-Gen Oladipo Diya, who appointed him as his Chief Security Officer. “I was fortunate to be chosen as Diya’s security officer,” Fadipe said. “It was a position that required absolute loyalty, and I gave him that loyalty without question.”
Fadipe’s role as Diya’s security officer placed him at the center of one of Nigeria’s most controversial coup plots. In 1997, he found himself embroiled in a plot to overthrow Gen Sani Abacha, a plot that would ultimately lead to his arrest and trial. “I was loyal to my boss, and I couldn’t betray him,” Fadipe said. “Even when faced with the possibility of death, I chose to stand by him.”
Despite the challenges and controversies that marked his military career, Fadipe remains proud of his service to Nigeria. “I served my country with dedication and integrity,” he said. “I may have been involved in a coup plot, but my loyalty to my boss and my country was never in question.”
Fadipe’s story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and the power of loyalty and determination. From a humble clerk to a key player in Nigeria’s military history, his journey is one that continues to inspire and intrigue.
