Buhari: Most part of my detention was in a small bungalow in Benin

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday went down memory lane in recalling the days of his incarceration.

Speaking in Benin, capital of Edo state, where he is currently on a two-day working visit, Buhari said many had forgotten that he spent most part of his 40 months detention in the ancient city.

“Not many people may remember: I spent most of the 40 months of my detention, following the 1985 coup, in a small bungalow here in Benin,” he said.

After himself coming to power in 1983 via a coup, Buhari was deposed two years later by a coup led by Ibrahim Babangida, a retired general and former military president, Aliyu Gusau, former director of military intelligence (DMI), and other members of the ruling supreme military council (SMC), and he was detained until 1988.

In a chat with The Interview, Buhari said he was overthrown because of his crusade against corruption in the military.

He had said senior military leaders ousted him to save themselves from his wrath.

On Monday, he inaugurated the remodeled 200-bed capacity ultra modern central hospital, which the administration of Adams Oshiomhole, the outgoing governor, built in Benin.

Buhari, who said he was impressed with the edifice, noted that it was “the best way to do things and the best thing to do for the people” by any government.

He also inaugurated the Upper Siluko Road in the state capital, saying “the road will stand the test of time”.

“Oshiomhole could have built a new Government House but he choose to construct roads for his people.”

He said he was in the state for the third time to inaugurate projects executed by Oshiomhole.