Forces loyal to Zambian president Frederick Chiluba quash a coup by a handful of disgruntled military officers, arresting nine men including the captain who said an angel told him to overthrow the government

In October 1997, the soldiers broke into an arms depot, assaulted army officers and seized state broadcasting studios. Captain Stephen Lungu, calling himself Captain Solo and representing the "National Redemption Council", announced over state radio that he had taken over the country.  He further informed his countrymen that he was dismissing the chiefs of the army and the police, and would give President Frederick T. J. Chiluba until 9 A.M. to surrender or be killed. It was also reported that Captain Solo had sounded drunk, and said he was told by an angel to oust the Government for its ''corruption and criminality.'' He called his coup "Operation Born Again" and said he would appoint a cabinet of military men.  Seizing on the incoherent nature of Captain Solo's rambling radio address, the event was henceforth merely referred to as a "drunken coup." Shortly after Captain Solo's broadcast, gunfire was heard outside the radio and television complex and State House, and the President's residence. At about 9 A.M., a military commander announced on another station in the complex that the coup had been quelled. and a state of emergency had been declared by President Frederick Chiluba.  The Zambian Government later reported that the coup attempt lasted a mere three hours, was suppressed without bloodshed and that a handful of military officers were promptly arrested. Ironically, Former president Chiluba faced numerous corruption charges after he left office in 2002.  During his treason trial in 2002, Lungu (Captain Solo) apologized to the nation for staging the 1997 coup, but at the same time he felt vindicated by recent events and He adamantly maintained that he was right to try to overthrow Chiluba, who he referred to as King Fred. "As a soldier it was my duty to protect my fellow citizens from the autocratic and cruel government of Chiluba." Lungu and 44 others received the death sentence for his roles in the 1997 coup. These sentence was later commuted to long prison terms. Sources: McNeil, D.G. "Zambia Says a Coup Is Over In 3 Hours, Without Injury" New York Times. October 29, 1997 Dale, P. "Zambian coup appeal case adjourned" BBC News: World Edition. 1 October 2002. bbc.co.uk "President announces the commutation of death sentences". Santegidio.org. santegidio.org