Sani Abacha: Timeline of the late Nigerian dictator鈥檚 life

Gen. Sani Abacha

Key moments in the late dictator's life

It's been 20 years since the death of Nigerian military ruler Sani Abacha.

He ruled Nigeria with an iron grip and his regime was marred by gross human rights abuses.

Abacha remains a divisive figure in his home country. Current President Muhammadu Buhari, a one-time military ruler himself, has credited him with some achievements such as building roads and improving education and healthcare.

Here is a timeline of key events in the late dictator's life:

20 September 1943

Kano, Nigeria

General Sani Abacha born in Kano state, northern Nigeria.
1963

Kaduna, Nigeria

Passes out of the Nigerian Military Training Centre in Kaduna, receiving further training in the UK.
1965

Nigeria

Marries Maryam Jiddah. The couple have 10 children, one of whom later dies.
1967-72

Southern Nigeria

Abacha fights for Nigeria in the country's civil war against Biafran secessionists and continues to rise through the army ranks.
1983

Lagos, Nigeria

Enters national spotlight because of his role in the 31 December coup that toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari. Gen Muhammadu Buhari is installed as military ruler.
1985

Lagos, Nigeria

Gen Buhari is overthrown in a coup supported by Abacha. He helps install Gen Ibrahim Babangida and is promoted to major general.
12 June 1993

Lagos, Nigeria

Long-promised democratic elections held. With preliminary results showing victory for wealthy businessman Moshood Abiola, Gen Babangida annuls the results to widespread outcry.
August 1993

Abuja, Nigeria

Abacha is appointed Minister of Defence after Babangida steps down and creates an interim government headed by civilian President, Ernest Shonekan.
17 November 1993

Abuja, Nigeria

Shonekan resigns and transfers power to Abacha, in a move widely believed to be another coup. His regime is marred by human rights abuses and the crushing of dissenting voices.
1994

Nigeria

Presumed election winner Moshood Abiola declares himself president and is imprisoned.
1995

Ogoni, Nigeria

The Abacha regime comes under worldwide condemnation and Nigeria is suspended from The Commonwealth after the execution of the Ogoni Nine, environmentalists who were protesting against the activity of the government and oil giant Shell. Among them was Ken Saro-Wiwa, a poet and Nobel Prize nominee.
1996

West Africa

Abacha is elected chairperson of The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), a regional economic bloc.
February 1998

Sierra Leone

Abacha deploys Nigerian forces to Sierra Leone in a bid to oust the military regime and restore the civilian government overthrown the year before.
8 June 1998

Abuja, Nigeria

Abacha dies from a suspected heart attack and is buried the same day. Nigeria transitions to democratic rule one year later.