Former President Muhammadu Buhari once believed his office inside the Presidential Villa was under secret surveillance, his daughter, Fatima Buhari, has revealed.
The disclosure appears in a new biography titled From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Dr Charles Omole and unveiled in Abuja on Monday.
Why Buhari Suspected Surveillance at the Villa
According to Fatima, her father’s fear of surveillance reached a point where he avoided speaking inside his office. Instead, they communicated by writing notes to each other.
She recalled that during one meeting, Buhari made a gesture indicating they should not talk.
“He touched his cheek, like he had a toothache, and signalled that we shouldn’t talk,” she said.
“We wrote notes to each other, like spies in a film.”
She explained that Buhari believed listening devices had been planted inside his office and warned her to remain cautious at all times.
Security Concerns Inside Aso Rock
The book describes the situation as deeply unsettling rather than dramatic. It portrays Buhari’s actions as a coping response to an environment where trust had broken down.
More concerning, according to the account, was Buhari’s apparent acceptance of the situation despite being Commander-in-Chief.
Fatima questioned how such surveillance could occur within the heavily secured Presidential Villa. She also raised concerns about the level of influence wielded by those suspected to be behind it.
Alleged Discoveries During Security Sweeps
The book further claims that some security chiefs who served under Buhari later confirmed that unusual objects were often found in his office and bedroom during routine security checks.
However, how those items entered restricted areas remained unclear.
Fatima described the atmosphere within the Villa as tense and disturbing. At times, she said, it felt “diabolical.”
“We’re Africans. We know supernatural powers,” she said, declining to provide further details.
Buhari’s Response and Personal Disposition
Fatima said Buhari’s age and strong religious faith shaped how he handled the situation. Rather than confront people publicly, he preferred quiet warnings and corrections.
She explained that once her father trusted someone, he found it difficult to withdraw that trust without overwhelming evidence.
She also disclosed that she constantly feared for his safety, suggesting there were moments when harm was attempted.
“There were attempts. Harm was done, but his time was not yet,” she said.
To manage perceived threats, Buhari sometimes publicly reprimanded her to create distance. Privately, however, he would later reassure her and his grandchildren.
“I cried in front of them, but deep inside, he would call me and the kids,” she added.
