Veteran Nollywood actor Yemi Ayebo, popularly known as Yemi My Lover, has opened up about a harrowing experience during Nigeria’s military era, revealing that he once narrowly escaped execution at the hands of a military officer.
In a recent interview with Mr. LilGaga on YouTube, Ayebo recounted the traumatic incident that occurred in April 1996 during the military administration in Lagos State.
According to the actor, he was in his office on Lagos Island when four soldiers arrived to escort him to Alausa, Ikeja.
There, he was brought before Major Adeoye, a military officer who accused him of an unnamed crime.
“They started beating me, and that Major Adeoye asked them to kill me,” Ayebo recalled. “During the military era, you didn’t question orders.”
Ayebo credits divine intervention and the boldness of one officer who challenged the execution order for saving his life. Instead of being shot, he was detained along with five staff members.
He revealed that he had to sell his car, house, and other belongings, spending over N500,000 to clear his name.
Although he was eventually found innocent, the incident deeply affected both his personal life and career.
“This issue was a major setback for me, and since then, things have not been the same,” he said, appealing to the public and Nollywood community for support in rebuilding his career.