Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Daniel Etim-Effiong, has revealed how his father, Moses Effiong, spent 34 years in prison after he was linked to the 1986 Vatsa coup plot.

The actor made this known in a video from his interview with Diary of a Naija Girl, which started trending on Friday.
Etim-Effiong said his father, a retired lieutenant colonel, was arrested when he was one year old, months after former military president Ibrahim Babangida took power from Muhammadu Buhari in 1985.

According to him, suspicion of a counter-coup later emerged, with Mamman Vatsa, a close ally of Babangida, accused as the mastermind.

He said his father was not part of the plot but was implicated after a colleague mentioned his name during interrogation.

“When the whole thing was leaked, and he was arrested, his best friend was also arrested. They asked him who he told about the coup, and he mentioned my dad,” he said.

The actor said his father was later tried and sentenced to death by firing squad.

“I was one year old when he was arrested and tried for complicity in trying to overthrow the government, allegedly, for treasonable offences, for a coup against President Ibrahim Babangida,” he said.

Etim-Effiong said his father narrowly escaped execution after three soldiers, including him, were separated from others who were later killed.

“He brought out the three soldiers and said these three soldiers are to stay here, the rest of you are going on transfer. The three soldiers were like, ‘Ah, we too, we want to go on transfer now, why are we not going on transfer, we’re all together.’ They took those going on transfer to the back of Kirikiri and shot them. That is how they died,” he said.

He added that his father’s sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment.

Etim-Effiong said Moses Effiong remained in prison for 34 years before he was granted a presidential pardon in 2020.

The Herd and AMVCA recognition

In a separate interview in October 2025, the actor said the film’s reception had been exciting and humbling.

“I am ecstatic. I am really excited that the reception has been great. I have not got one bad review as of today. My favourite thing right now is just to go into the cinema hall, sit down, and see people react to the film. I cannot really stop watching it myself. It’s really an exciting time for me,” he said.

He also admitted that the project came with pressure because of the need to perform well at the box office.

“There is also the burden of making sure the film does well in the opening weekend. We are out here trying to push the film and make people see it. But because we have a limited marketing budget, there is only so much we can do to promote it,” he added.

Speaking on what the movie meant to him, Etim-Effiong said, “I have always known it, but this movie proves that I can tell good stories.”

The film, which addresses insecurity and highway attacks in Nigeria, later received nine nominations at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, including Best Movie and Best Director.

Etim-Effiong had earlier said the story was inspired by his concern over insecurity in the country.

“It’s something I am passionate about. When I was growing up, I used to take road trips with my dad. Now, I would love to take road trips with my kids, but because of the fear of hijackers on the highway, I won’t dare. I would rather fly anywhere I want to go with my children. It’s tragic that we have such beautiful scenery in Nigeria, and one can’t access it because of insecurity,” he said.