Military investigators have reportedly identified Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, a senior officer of the Nigerian Army, as the chief mastermind behind the foiled coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to security sources who spoke with Premium Times, Ma’aji allegedly coordinated and financed the plot, with funds said to be linked to a former governor.
Investigations revealed that the coup was initially planned for May 29, 2023 — Nigeria’s Democracy Day and the day President Tinubu was inaugurated — but was aborted due to logistical setbacks and funding constraints.
The plot was, however, reactivated in 2025 after nearly ₦1 billion was reportedly transferred in tranches through a Bureau De Change operator. The funds were allegedly traced to former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva.
Following the revelations, Sylva’s Abuja residence was searched by military operatives. While denying any involvement, his media aide, Julius Bokoru, described the former governor as “an unrepentant and thoroughbred democrat.”
Sources disclosed that the alleged plot included plans to simultaneously assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. Other targets reportedly included the service chiefs and commanders of key military formations.
“They have people inside the Villa who monitor the movements of these officials. The plan was to kill them at the same time and install a military government,” a source said.
How Intelligence Foiled the Plot
The plot was foiled through a joint operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the Department of State Services (DSS) in late September 2025. A whistleblower within the military was said to have alerted the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede.
The DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, reportedly confirmed the intelligence, leading to a covert nationwide operation.
Sixteen suspects, including Colonel Ma’aji, were initially arrested and detained at an underground facility of the Defence Intelligence Agency. One suspect later escaped but was rearrested in Bauchi State.
President Tinubu was said to be visibly shaken after receiving the briefing and subsequently cancelled the 2025 Independence Day parade. He also constituted a special investigation panel chaired by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.
The panel’s findings reportedly led to further arrests and revelations, culminating in the dismissal of the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as well as the service chiefs of the Navy and Air Force.
General Oluyede was appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, while Gen. Musa was later named Minister of Defence following the resignation of Muhammed Badaru on health grounds.
Profile of Colonel Ma’aji
Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, a native of Niger State, was born on March 1, 1976. He is a graduate of the 47 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was commissioned into the infantry.
He previously led Operation Delta Safe and served as Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State. His military career also includes participation in Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Niger Delta.
Sources described Ma’aji as “emotionally detached” and “unrepentant,” adding that he has refused to cooperate with investigators.
Although the Defence Headquarters initially denied reports of a coup plot, it later admitted in January 2026 that some officers had indeed planned to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
“The findings revealed a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government. Such conduct is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards of the Armed Forces,” the Defence Headquarters stated.