According to Gowon, Garba, who served as Commander of the Federal Guards Unit, denied any involvement in plans to overthrow his government just days before the coup took place.

The revelation was contained in Gowon’s 859-page autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday.

The former military leader described the coup as one of the greatest betrayals of his life, saying it was orchestrated by individuals he trusted deeply and had elevated within the military hierarchy.

Gowon disclosed that his Chief Security Officer and head of the Special Branch, M.D. Yusuf, had warned him before the Organisation of African Unity summit in Kampala, Uganda, that some officers were plotting against his administration.

He said Yusuf specifically identified Garba and Anthony Ochefu, then Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Military Police, as central figures in the alleged conspiracy.

The former Head of State explained that the report placed him in a difficult situation because Garba occupied one of the most sensitive positions in his security structure.

“As commander of the Federal Guards, which is the elite entrusted with protecting the Head of State, Garba was expected to show unquestionable loyalty,” Gowon wrote.

He added that both Garba and Ochefu were not only trusted associates but also from his former Benue Plateau State.

Despite the intelligence report, Gowon said he confronted Garba directly rather than acting immediately.

According to him, Garba strongly denied any knowledge of plans to remove him from office and swore there was no such plot.

Gowon stated that he warned Garba that if the allegations later proved true, he would answer to God and his conscience.

The former leader noted that his suspicions deepened after Ochefu allegedly refused to return to Lagos, describing the action as deliberate disloyalty.

Although disturbed by the reports, Gowon said he still travelled to Kampala for the OAU summit because he had already committed to attending the meeting.

He explained that while at the conference on July 29, 1975, Uganda’s then leader, Idi Amin, showed him a Reuters report announcing that his government had been overthrown.

Gowon said early reports mentioned a certain “Colonel Darwa” as the officer behind the coup announcement, which he later suspected referred to Garba.

He admitted he initially found it difficult to believe Garba could betray him and even feared the officer might have been pressured into joining the coup plot.

The autobiography also shed light on Gowon’s personal life, including preparations for his wife, Victoria, before she became First Lady.

He disclosed that Mrs Efuntiloye Williams, wife of renowned accountant Akintola Williams, personally coached Victoria on etiquette, British customs and diplomatic protocol.

Gowon said the lessons were aimed at preparing her for public life and avoiding embarrassing situations as First Lady.

The former Head of State also recounted how his wedding to Victoria in April 1969 sparked criticism because it was held during the Nigerian Civil War.

According to him, many Nigerians questioned the timing of the ceremony, while newspapers ran headlines suggesting that “the war was raging while Gowon was marrying.”

The autobiography further chronicled Gowon’s early life, military career, the Civil War, post-war reconstruction, exile in the United Kingdom after his overthrow, and eventual return to Nigeria in 1983.

The book launch in Abuja was attended by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, alongside former President Goodluck Jonathan, military veterans and several top government officials.