Alleged Coup Plot: Army Colonel Says Stalled Promotion Pushed Him Into Conspiracy
A Nigerian Army colonel accused of masterminding the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration has told investigators that repeated failures to secure promotion to the rank of brigadier general played a major role in his decision to join the conspiracy.
According to investigation documents obtained by Premium Times, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji said he became frustrated after missing promotion opportunities and began seeking support for the alleged plot in 2023.
The 49-year-old officer from Niger State reportedly told investigators that rising insecurity across the country and poor welfare for serving and retired military personnel also influenced his actions.
Ma’aji claimed that military authorities had already questioned him in 2023 over allegations that politicians intended to use him to disrupt the general elections.
He said he was invited to the Defence Intelligence Agency, detained overnight, and had his phone seized for forensic examination before being released after investigators found no evidence against him.
According to him, his frustration deepened after he was overlooked for promotion again in 2024.
He alleged that some junior officers encouraged him to revive the plan, fearing he could be retired before reaching the rank of brigadier general.
The colonel also gave details of how he was eventually arrested on September 29, 2025.
He said he believed he had been invited by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, to discuss his long-delayed promotion after receiving calls from the Army chief’s office.
Ma’aji claimed he was excited by the invitation and travelled to the meeting believing his promotion issue was finally being addressed.
According to his statement, the discussion initially focused on his career before the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, allegedly asked him to accompany him to the Defence Intelligence Agency headquarters to collect a message for a retired general.
He further alleged that the Army chief gave him 1,000 US dollars as welfare support before directing him to leave with the intelligence chief.
However, instead of receiving an official assignment, he said he was taken to the office of the Director of Operations, where he was questioned about the alleged coup plot involving himself and other military officers.
Ma’aji said he initially denied any involvement but was informed that another suspect, Lieutenant S.S. Felix, had already been arrested while Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah was on the run.
He said the investigation into the alleged conspiracy began immediately after that encounter and has continued ever since.
In his statement, the colonel appealed for leniency, insisting that he and the other suspects had reflected on their actions during detention.
He claimed their intentions were driven by concern for Nigeria rather than personal gain, arguing that worsening welfare, inadequate accommodation, economic hardship and declining morale had created widespread frustration within the military.
Ma’aji also called on military authorities to establish safe channels through which officers and soldiers could express grievances without fear of intimidation or punishment.
