Almustapha Hamza

Hamza Al-Mustapha was born on 27 July 1960 in a Hausa family and educated in Nguru before enrolling at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1983, later becoming involved in military intelligence operations. His career included roles in counter-intelligence and command posts across various ministries, including Internal Affairs, Defence, and The Presidency.

From November 1993 until Abacha’s death on 6 June 1998, Al-Mustapha served as the regime’s Chief Security Officer. He oversaw security for the Abacha government and established elite military-security organizations during this period.

Al-Mustapha reorganized Nigeria into six geopolitical zones, cultivating a network of informants across all federal states to ensure regime control.

After Abacha’s death in June 1998, Al-Mustapha was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of Kudirat Abiola. He faced multiple charges, including coup plots and attempted murders, enduring torture and solitary confinement during his detention at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison.

His legal battles for over a decade culminated in acquittals and reversals, though he remained convicted on the Kudirat Abiola murder charge until July 2013. He was later released and moved to Kano.

In 2017, Al-Mustapha entered politics by founding the Green Party of Nigeria (GPN). Though unsuccessful as a presidential candidate in both 2019 (PPN) and 2023 (Action Alliance), he remains active in party splits and grassroots campaigns.