Veteran Nigerian actor, Yemi Ayebo, fondly known as Yemi My Lover after his 1993 film of the same name, has shared a chilling story from his past, revealing that a military officer once ordered him to be executed.
In a recent YouTube interview with Mr. LilGaga, the Nollywood star recounted the traumatic experience, which he said occurred in 1996 under the military regime in Lagos State.
According to Ayebo, his life was nearly cut short by one Major Adeoye, but he was ultimately spared due to the intervention of the officer’s colleagues.
“On April 19, 1996, I was in my office at Lagos Island, when a guy came with four soldiers to tell me that they wanted to see me in Alausa,” he said.
He explained that the events took place during the administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who served as the military governor of Lagos State at the time.
“It was during the era of Olagusoye Oyinlola, the military governor of Lagos state. So they took me to Alausa in Ikeja, where we met one Major Adeoye.”
Ayebo said he was wrongly accused of a crime he didn’t commit and was physically assaulted during interrogation.
“They accused me of what I knew nothing about. They started beating me, and that Major Adeoye asked them to kill me,” he said.
“During the military era, you don’t question them. When they give order, it must be taken.”
He credited divine intervention and the courage of one officer who questioned the execution order for saving his life.
“After beating me and about to shoot me, through the mercy of God, one of his colleagues questioned his reason for my killing. And I was locked up alongside five of my staff.”
The ordeal took a toll on his finances, as he struggled to prove his innocence.
“I spent over N500,000 before I could come out of the issue. I sold everything I had including my car, house and more. I thank God because they later discovered that I was innocent. But the issue was my major setback, and since then things have not been the same again,” he added.
Ayebo has since appealed to the public and industry stakeholders for support in rebuilding his career in Nollywood.
