Reno Omokri Recounts How Obasanjo, Fani-Kayode Stopped Gaddafi’s Armed Entourage

A former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has shared how late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi was twice prevented from bringing arms into Nigeria during visits under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Omokri shared the account on his X handle while reacting to an alleged protocol breach by Burkinabe President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who reportedly carried a weapon during a meeting with Ghanaian President John Mahama.

Omokri recounted that the Nigerian authorities cut Gaddafi “to size” on two occasions when he attempted to bring armed bodyguards and weapons into the country.

“The first time was during the African Heads of Government Summit on Roll Back Malaria, held on Tuesday, April 25, 2000,” he said.

According to Omokri, Gaddafi’s female bodyguards tried to enter the International Conference Center in Abuja with weapons but were stopped by Obasanjo’s Chief Security Officer.

“They were disarmed at gunpoint before being allowed into the venue with Colonel Gaddafi to join other African leaders,” Omokri added.

The second incident, described as more dramatic, occurred during the Africa-South America Summit in November 2006.

“Gaddafi arrived with about five huge planes, which offloaded approximately 50 cars loaded with weapons. Nigerian officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport told Gaddafi and his over 200 guards that they could not leave the airport with their weapons. The Nigerian Army ensured the weapons were put back on the planes,” Omokri narrated.

Omokri used the incidents to emphasize Nigeria’s authority and influence in the region, contrasting it with Ghana.

“This once again demonstrates the difference between Nigeria and Ghana and vindicates our position as the regional superpower,” he said, adding that no foreign leader would be allowed to breach protocol in Nigeria as was alleged in Ghana.

Omokri added that “Colonel Gaddafi was incensed. He said since he was not being allowed to leave the airport with his cars filled with weapons, he would walk into Abuja.

“Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who was detailed by President Obasanjo to receive Colonel Gaddafi was concerned and called the President who told him to tell Gaddafi he was on his way to the airport.

“When President Obasanjo arrived, he played with Gaddafi and told him he was on his way to Lagos, but that the incident would be resolved by his personal representative, Minister Fani-Kayode.”

The President then took Fani-Kayode aside and whispered into his ear in Yoruba to the effect that ‘You are in charge. Play with him. Be polite and diplomatic. But those weapons are not entering Abuja’.

The former presidential aide said, “Obasanjo then headed to Lagos, leaving chief Fani-Kayode to argue back and forth with Gaddafi, who threatened to return to Libya.

“But in line with Obasanjo’s instructions, Fani-Kayode subtly told him that, ‘We would rather have you stay, but if you choose to go, we understand.’

“And when Gaddafi saw how resolute Chief Fani-Kayode was, they returned all their weapons to their planes under the supervision of the Nigerian Army.”

Omokri said the stance of the Nigeria government on the issue, following Obasanjo’s instructions, forced the late Libyan leader aides to go spiritual over the matter.

“When Colonel Gaddafi was allowed into Abuja, he was escorted to the guest house arranged for him by Nigeria. The first thing his guards did was to slaughter a ram and spill the blood in front of the door. Once that happened, Colonel Gaddafi stepped over the blood into the house (Defence House) and would not allow anyone else to enter after him”, he submitted.

Taking a swipe at the action of the newly elected Ghanaian president, Omokri said, “That is how you show that you are a sovereign nation. Not by having a thirty six year old unelected junta leader of Burkina Faso, who has turned his country into a client state of Russia, do to you in your own country what he would never in a million years do to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.”