US EditionNigeria: Colonel Ma'aji - the Architect of Nigeria's Foiled Coup Plot
A covert intelligence operation led to the arrest of 16 officers involved in a coup plot aiming to assassinate President Tinubu and other top leaders, military sources said.
- This past week, the military publicly acknowledged officers plotted to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, with investigators identifying Colonel Mohammed Ma'aji as the major leader and crediting a joint Army‑SSS operation for foiling it.
- Investigators say Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa State, allegedly transferred nearly N1 billion via a Bureau De Change to fund the 2025 coup plot, which was initially planned around the 2023 handover but suspended for lack of funds, with officers motivated by career stagnation and failed exams.
- Recovered receipts and transaction records tied logistics funding to network accounts, while arrests began in late September 2025 with 16 officers detained and one fleeing suspect tracked to a country in South America.
- Authorities are preparing to constitute a court-martial panel pending presidential approval, with at least 25 military officers expected to face trial and prosecution teams readying arraignments before a military judicial panel.
- Security agencies expanded security measures, firing service chiefs and continuing joint surveillance as investigations say more arrests are likely and remaining cells are being dismantled.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Coup: Families Of Accused Officers’ Seek Leniency
Family members of the 16 detained military officers who were accused of being involved in the plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are calling on the Presidency and other authorities for leniency for their relatives, Weekend Trust has learnt. The family members, it was gathered, are reaching out to top political and government functionaries at the seat of power to prevail on the president to temper justice with mercy. Weekend Trust had exclus…
Alleged coup plotters bought 32 vehicles for covert operations
People accused of planning a coup against President Bola Tinubu’s government reportedly bought 32 Golf and SUV vehicles to support their secret activities. Security sources told Premium Times that military investigators found evidence showing the vehicles were purchased to help operatives move quietly, gather intelligence, and gain discreet access to sensitive locations such as airports and other public facilities in key areas. The sources expla…
EXCLUSIVE: Suspected coup plotters planned to truncate Buhari’s handing over to Tinubu
The coup was initially scheduled for 29 May 2023 during the presidential inauguration, sources told this newspaper. The post EXCLUSIVE: Suspected coup plotters planned to truncate Buhari’s handing over to Tinubu appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Government Will Look After Families Of Supected Coupists — Defence Minister
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has assured that the Federal Government will ensure the families of military officers indicted in the alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu government were treated fairly and not abandoned. In an interview with a Turkish TV station, TRT World, Gen. Musa said while the accused officers will face due process through a military court-martial, the government remained mindful of th…
Family Members Of Detained Alleged Coup Plotters Reach Out To Top Politicians, Beg For Mercy
Family members of the 16 detained military officers accused of involvement in the plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are appealing for leniency. According to Daily Trust, family members are reaching out to top politicians and government functionaries at the seat of power, begging that justice be meted out with mercy. No fewer than 16 military officers were said to have been indicted in a report submitted to the president after the coup plot…
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- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
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