Dele Giwa, di Newswatch journalist, die on Sunday, October 19, 1986, inside im study when parcel bomb explode. Kayode Soyinka, di magazine London bureau chief, dey with am when di package explode.
Before di killing, Nigeria security agencies question Dele Giwa over allegations wey link to im journalism and suspected political activities. After he write article about newly introduced Second-Tier Foreign Exchange Market, dem invite am to State Security Service headquarters on September 19, 1986. For di article, Dele Giwa describe di policy as “God‘s experiment” and warn say Nigerians fit turn against Ibrahim Babangida military leadership if e fail. He still express hope say Ibrahim Babangida determine to make di policy work.
Two State Security Service operatives question Dele Giwa and record im statement before dem take am meet Lieutenant-Colonel A. K. Togun, di agency deputy director. A. K. Togun reportedly tell am say he find nothing offensive inside di article. But di agency interest inside Dele Giwa continue.
According to A. K. Togun, Dele Giwa and Alex Ibru organise meeting between media executives and di newly established State Security Service on October 9. A. K. Togun, while speaking off record to journalists for airport, claim say dem reach agreement wey require press organisations to report stories wey fit embarrass government to di State Security Service before publication.
On October 16, Colonel Halilu Akilu of Directorate of Military Intelligence reportedly question Dele Giwa over telephone. Halilu Akilu allegedly ask am about claims say he don speak to people about importing weapons. Same day, State Security Service summon Dele Giwa to di headquarters second time. Next day, Ray Ekpu, Dele Giwa colleague and neighbour, follow am go di interview.
During di questioning, A. K. Togun accuse Dele Giwa Newswatch of many things: planning to publish di other side of di story around removal of Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe as Chief of the General Staff under Ibrahim Babangida after di magazine publish cover story titled “Power Games: Ukiwe Loses Out” for di October 20 edition; working with Nigeria Labour Congress, Academic Staff Union of Universities and students to organise socialist revolution; and planning to employ Alozie Ogugbuaja, suspended police public relations officer.
Alozie Ogugbuaja claim say dem defuse bomb for im official residence for Ikeja on October 16. He also suspect say dem dey monitor im telephone conversations because he discuss possibility of joining Newswatch with Dele Giwa and Ray Ekpu. Ray Ekpu share di concerns. He say he suspect say dem bug their homes and telephones and say he discover two suspected listening devices hidden inside covers of books for im study.
