Nollywood actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim-Effiong has shared the harrowing story of his father, Moses Effiong, a retired lieutenant colonel who spent 34 years in prison after being linked to the 1986 Vatsa coup plot. The revelation came during an interview with Diary of a Naija Girl, which went viral on Friday.
Arrest and Death Sentence
Etim-Effiong said his father was arrested when he was just one year old, months after former military president Ibrahim Babangida took power from Muhammadu Buhari in 1985. Suspicion of a counter-coup emerged, with Mamman Vatsa, a close Babangida ally, accused as the mastermind. Though his father was not part of the plot, he was implicated after a colleague mentioned his name under interrogation.
“When the whole thing was leaked, and he was arrested, his best friend was also arrested. They asked him who he told about the coup, and he mentioned my dad,” the actor explained.
His father was tried and sentenced to death by firing squad. “I was one year old when he was arrested and tried for complicity in trying to overthrow the government, allegedly, for treasonable offences, for a coup against President Ibrahim Babangida,” Etim-Effiong said.
Narrow Escape from Execution
Etim-Effiong recounted how his father narrowly escaped execution. Three soldiers, including his father, were separated from the others who were later killed. “He brought out the three soldiers and said these three soldiers are to stay here, the rest of you are going on transfer. The three soldiers were like, ‘Ah, we too, we want to go on transfer now, why are we not going on transfer, we’re all together.’ They took those going on transfer to the back of Kirikiri and shot them. That is how they died,” he said.
His father’s sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. Moses Effiong remained in prison for 34 years before receiving a presidential pardon in 2020.
Recognition for Film Work
In a separate interview in October 2025, Etim-Effiong discussed the reception of his film addressing insecurity and highway attacks in Nigeria. “I am ecstatic. I am really excited that the reception has been great. I have not got one bad review as of today. My favourite thing right now is just to go into the cinema hall, sit down, and see people react to the film. I cannot really stop watching it myself. It’s really an exciting time for me,” he said.
He admitted the project came with pressure due to box office expectations. “There is also the burden of making sure the film does well in the opening weekend. We are out here trying to push the film and make people see it. But because we have a limited marketing budget, there is only so much we can do to promote it,” he added.
The film later received nine nominations at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, including Best Movie and Best Director. Etim-Effiong said the story was inspired by his concern over insecurity. “It’s something I am passionate about. When I was growing up, I used to take road trips with my dad. Now, I would love to take road trips with my kids, but because of the fear of hijackers on the highway, I won’t dare. I would rather fly anywhere I want to go with my children. It’s tragic that we have such beautiful scenery in Nigeria, and one can’t access it because of insecurity,” he concluded.
