Military investigators probing an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are reported to be questioning a Managing Director of a federal government agency in the South-South region and have raided the Abuja residence of former governor and minister Timipre Sylva.
Two intelligence officers said that the MD (name undisclosed) was arrested after transferring a “huge sum of money” to Sylva, who is believed to be among the financiers of the planned coup.
“The MD … transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the fund transfer was connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for.”
Meanwhile, military operatives raided Sylva’s Abuja house on Saturday. While Sylva was reportedly abroad at the time, his younger brother “Paga” (his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs) and his driver were arrested during the operation. Investigators say Sylva was preparing to return to Nigeria when the coup plotters were apprehended, prompting him to stay abroad.
The operation took place as the military investigates what it describes as “a routine exercise” involving the arrest of sixteen officers for alleged breaches of service regulations. However, multiple media outlets claim the detentions relate to a planned coup to overthrow President Tinubu.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj‑Gen Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig‑Gen Tukur Gusau, could not be reached for comment. Gusau had, however, stated that the arrests were due to “issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
Analysts are watching closely, given that any credible attempt at forceful government change would mark the first such threat to Nigeria’s civilian rule since 1993.
