By Paul Joseph
Nigerian security forces have apprehended at least 40 individuals in connection with a purported scheme to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Among those detained are both high-ranking and lower-ranking military personnel, a police officer, and civilians accused of managing funding, gathering intelligence, coordinating logistics, and spreading propaganda for the conspiracy.
According to Starnews, the arrests were the result of a covert intelligence operation conducted by the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS).
A security source indicated that the SSS arrested 13 individuals, which included two military officers, one retired officer, one policeman, and ten civilians.
In total, 16 active military officers were detained for their direct involvement, while others were implicated in funding and inciting unrest. Two civilians were reportedly recruited to incite public disorder to justify a takeover.
One of the detained soldiers allegedly escaped but was later recaptured by SSS agents in Bauchi State.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that investigations had been completed and submitted to the relevant authorities.
The military characterized the alleged actions as violations of the ethics and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Sources indicated that authorities are now awaiting presidential approval to establish a court-martial panel for the implicated officers.
Investigations revealed that the plot was initially intended to disrupt the transition from former President Muhammadu Buhari to Tinubu on May 29, 2023, but it reportedly failed due to insufficient funding and logistics.
The conspiracy was allegedly revived in 2025, after former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva was accused of transferring nearly ₦1 billion through various Bureau De Change accounts to finance the operation.
Sylva and a retired senior officer, Major General Adamu, who were accused of funding the plot, are reportedly on the run, with one of them traced to South America, although details remain undisclosed.
Investigators also uncovered a purported plan to assassinate high-ranking government officials, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Security sources noted that the suspects relied on insiders within the Presidential Villa to monitor the movements of these officials and intended to seize key locations, including the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, Armed Forces Complex, and Abuja Airport.
Leave a Reply