Mamman Jiya Vatsa was a Nigerian general and poet who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Abuja, and was a member of the Supreme Military Council.

Vatsa was a facilitator and patron of the arts in Nigeria, where he organized writing workshops for his fellow soldiers and their children and got their works published.

Vatsa was childhood friends with Ibrahim Babangida and both men were peers who attended the same educational institutions.

Like Babangida, Vatsa attended the Government College Bida from 1957 to 1962 and started his career with the Nigerian Army by enrolling in the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) on 10 December 1962.

They were so close, They had the same Military Rank. Babangida was the Best Man during Vasta's Wedding.

Vasta heard that his name has been mentioned in a supposed coup against Babangida, He went to meet Babangida & "You heard I was planning a Coup & you couldn't ask him If it was true what kind of friend are you" Vasta said.

Babangida replied "Are you planning a Coup, Vasta replied in the Negative"

Babangida sent troops to arrest Vasta & 16 other officers. He was detained at the Kirikiri Maximum Prision, He faced the Military Tribunal without given a lawyer, he was made to defend himself.

Vasta's Wife Sophia kept begging Babangida & other Senior Military Officers
That her Husband was Innocent.

Vasta pleaded to his wife saying "Sweetheart do not beg my friend Babaginda any further take care of the Children, I know it is not easy, But God will help you"

Three Writers of Nigeria came Prof Wole Soyinka, Chinuna Achiebe J.P Clark. Begged Babangida to have mercy on Vasta, Babangida said, he'll see what he can do.

Babangida's wife Mariam tried to reach Babangida via telephone as he was in the AFRC meeting. She couldn't get through to him, She sent a note to her husband to release Vasta.

On 5 March 1986, Vasta was executed by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (who was his childhood friend) following a military tribunal conviction for treason associated with an abortive coup.