Ex-Military President, Babangida reportedly seriously ill

Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) is seriously suffering from an illness which has greatly emaciated him, ThisDay gathered yesterday from a source close to his hilltop mansion in Minna, the Niger State capital.

The source noted that the former leader now looks pale and is unable to walk unaided without a walking stick or the assistance of his security personnel, and that the illness has made him unable to attend most public functions.

While the newspaper could not ascertain the real cause of his sickness, the source claimed that aside it being age-related; the former military president might be suffering from a relapse of the radiculopathy disease which has troubled the former Nigerian leader since he was head of state.

It was reported that the Maradona (as he is fondly called) now travels to Abuja frequently where he receives medical attention and has cut down on the number of visitors he receives at his home.