CRIME
Security Agencies Unmask Major Coup Plot Against Tinubu Government as 40 Suspects Identified as Investigations Conclude, Senior Military Officers, Police Officer, Civilians Implicated
Nigeria’s security architecture has recorded a major breakthrough following the conclusion of investigations into an alleged clandestine plot to violently overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Authoritative security sources confirmed that no fewer than 40 suspects have been identified in connection with the conspiracy, cutting across senior officers in the armed forces, a serving police officer, and several civilians allegedly engaged in reconnaissance, funding, logistics, and propaganda operations.
The investigation, which followed months of covert intelligence gathering and surveillance, was coordinated by the Army Headquarters in collaboration with the State Security Service (SSS). Multiple arrests have been carried out nationwide, while detailed case files have now been transmitted to higher authorities for further action.
According to insiders, 13 suspects were apprehended by the SSS, comprising two military personnel (one of them retired), one police officer, and 10 civilians. In addition, 16 serving military officers were arrested for direct involvement in the alleged plot, two civilians were picked up for conducting reconnaissance missions, two others were arrested for allegedly being recruited to incite civil disobedience as justification for a military takeover, while five additional suspects were linked to the financial channels used to support the operation.
Security sources further disclosed that one detained soldier escaped from custody during the early phase of the investigation but was later tracked and rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi State.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters officially confirmed that the investigation had been concluded and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
The military authorities disclosed that the findings revealed “several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” stressing that such actions are “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
PLOT TRACED TO INAUGURATION PERIOD, REACTIVATED IN 2025
Investigators uncovered that the alleged coup plot was initially conceived ahead of the May 29, 2023 presidential inauguration, with the intention of disrupting the handover of power from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu.
However, the plan was reportedly shelved at the time due to insufficient funds and weak logistical coordination.
The plot was allegedly revived in 2025 after a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, was said to have transferred nearly ₦1 billion in multiple tranches into three separate bank accounts operated by a Bureau De Change operator, funds believed to be earmarked to finance the operation.
Security sources said the renewed phase of the plot involved assigning specific roles to participating officers, including plans to seize and secure strategic national assets such as the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) Complex, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
NETWORK OF HIGH-RANKING OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS
Among those implicated are a brigadier general attached to the Army Headquarters Garrison, a colonel serving with the Defence Space Administration, and several lieutenant colonels drawn from infantry battalions, special forces units, and operational commands across the country.
Also on the list are officers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, personnel from training institutions, garrisons, and operational bases, as well as non-commissioned officers.
Civilians allegedly involved include individuals working within and around the Presidential Villa, such as an electrician and an ambulance driver, alongside a retired naval captain, a propagandist, and other persons suspected to have provided logistical and intelligence support.
Security authorities said investigations are still ongoing to clarify the identities and exact roles of six additional suspects whose details remain sketchy as of press time.
FULL LIST OF SUSPECTS AND THEIR UNITS/ROLES
MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) – Army Headquarters Garrison
MA Ma’aji (Colonel) – Defence Space Administration
S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) – 525 Signal Regiment
AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) – 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) – 134 Special Force Battalion
M Almakura (Lt Colonel) – 197 Special Force Battalion
AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) – CO, 35 Battalion, Katsina
SM Gana (Lt Colonel) – 115 Task Force Battalion
AD Dauda (Major) – Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji
JM Ganaks (Major) – Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji
AJ Ibrahim (Major) – Army Headquarters, Department of Policy and Plans
MM Jiddah (Major) – 26 Battalion
MA Usman (Major) – 35 Battalion
D Yusuf (Major) – Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
J Iliyasu (Major) – 3 Division Garrison
A Mohammed (Major) – 63 Brigade Garrison
DB Abdullahi (Lt Commander) – Naval Base Abuja
SB Adamu (Squadron Leader) – National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
NG Zuzu (Squadron Leader) – Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force Camp
G Binuga (Captain) – 1 NMF Brigade
AA Yusuf (Captain) – Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
1 Bello (Captain) – 82 Division Garrison
SS Felix (Lieutenant) – 81 Division Provost Group
J Aminu (Lieutenant) – Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
Nasiru Ibrahim (Warrant Officer) – 82 Division Garrison
Sanda Usman (Sergeant) – 167 Special Force Battalion
Mohammed Zubairu (Sergeant) – 177 Guards Battalion
Momoh Audu (Corporal) – 343 Artillery Regiment
Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) – 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
EO Victor (Navy Captain, Retired) – 3 Abraham Avenue, off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
Umoru Zekeri – Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
Y Nasiru (Lance Corporal) – 82 Division Garrison
Sambo Danladi (Lance Corporal) – 82 Division Garrison
Abdul Abdullahi (Staff Sergeant) – 82 Division Garrison
Ali Isah – Villa Ambulance Driver
ML Mohammed (Captain) – 18 Battalion
UI Yusuf (Wing Commander) – International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
IM Gana (Major General, Retired) – No. 34A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
Stanley Kingley Amandi – Propagandist
Goni Bukar – Role yet to be clarified
Security agencies say all suspects remain under investigation, while the federal government is expected to take decisive action in line with the law as Nigeria moves to safeguard its democratic order and constitutional governance.