Ali Baba, a veteran Nigerian comedian, recently shared a harrowing experience where his joke about former military leader General Sani Abacha almost cost him his life. During an event in Abuja, Ali Baba boldly asked Abacha to remove his sunglasses, saying, "Your Excellency, sir, it's almost 10 pm, why are you wearing dark shades? Remove this shade nah or don't you want to see their performance?" 

To his surprise, Abacha obliged, but things took a tense turn when Ali Baba noticed Department of State Services (DSS) officers heading backstage, likely waiting for him. In a split-second decision, Ali Baba chose to sit beside Abacha instead of retreating to the safety of the backstage. Abacha, seemingly amused, made jokes about Ali Baba and asked why he refused to go backstage. Ali Baba's response, "Don't worry, sir, they can come and arrest me here," showcased his bravery and wit in the face of danger.

This incident highlights the risks entertainers took during Abacha's regime, notorious for its human rights abuses and brutal suppression of opposition. Abacha's rule from 1993 to 1998 was marked by widespread violence, imprisonment, torture, and killings of opposition figures  Ali Baba's courage in sharing this story provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by Nigerians during that era.