Nollywood actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim-Effiong has recounted how his father, Moses Effiong, narrowly escaped execution and went on to spend 34 years in prison after being linked to the 1986 Vatsa coup plot.
Gatekeepers News reports that the actor shared the story in a video interview with Diary of a Naija Girl, which began trending on Friday.
Etim-Effiong said his father, a retired lieutenant colonel, was arrested when he was just one year old, months after Ibrahim Babangida took power from Muhammadu Buhari in 1985.
He explained that suspicion of a counter-coup later emerged, with Mamman Vatsa, a close ally of Babangida, accused as the mastermind.
According to him, his father was not involved but was implicated after a colleague mentioned his name during 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,” he said.
The actor said his father was subsequently 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,” he said.
Etim-Effiong recounted how his father narrowly escaped execution after being separated from a group of condemned soldiers.
“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.
He added that his father’s death sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Etim-Effiong said Moses Effiong spent 34 years in prison before receiving a presidential pardon in 2020.
In a separate interview in October 2025, the actor spoke about the reception of his film, describing it as both exciting and humbling.
“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 noted that promoting the project came with challenges, particularly due to limited marketing resources.
“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.
Reflecting on the significance of the project, Etim-Effiong said it affirmed his storytelling ability.
“I have always known it, but this movie proves that I can tell good stories,” he said.
The film, which explores insecurity and highway attacks in Nigeria, later earned nine nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026, including Best Movie and Best Director.
Etim-Effiong had earlier said the story was inspired by his concerns about insecurity in the country.
“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 said.
