Nigerian security agencies have reportedly concluded investigations into an alleged coup plot aimed at violently overthrowing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, identifying no fewer than 40 suspects drawn from the military, police and civilian population.
According to a report by Premium Times, the suspects include senior military officers, a police officer and several civilians accused of involvement in reconnaissance, funding, logistics and propaganda linked to the alleged plot.
Security sources said 13 of the suspects were apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS), comprising two military personnel—one of them retired—one police officer and 10 civilians. In addition, 16 serving military officers were reportedly arrested for direct participation in the plot, while two civilians were detained for reconnaissance activities and another two for allegedly inciting civil disobedience to justify the coup. Five others were linked to funding channels.
“One detained soldier escaped custody but was later rearrested by DSS operatives in Bauchi,” a security source disclosed.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed that investigations have been concluded and forwarded to the “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.” The military said the probe uncovered “several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” describing such actions as inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
A source familiar with the investigation revealed that at least 25 military officers and personnel are expected to face trial over the alleged coup attempt. An unspecified number of civilians also remain in custody and are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the DSS for their alleged roles in financing, logistics and coordination.
Investigators further revealed that the alleged plot was initially conceived to disrupt the handover of power from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu on May 29, 2023, but stalled due to funding and logistical challenges. The plan was reportedly revived in 2025 after former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, allegedly transferred close to N1 billion into three bank accounts operated by a Bureau De Change operator.
Retired Major General Adamu was identified as a key figure in the plot, alongside Sylva and three other suspects who are currently at large. One of the fleeing suspects has reportedly been traced to South America, though further details were withheld for security reasons.
Alleged Plan to Assassinate Top Officials
Sources also alleged that the plotters planned assassinations targeting President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” a source said.
Service chiefs, commanders of the Guards Brigade and other strategic military figures were also allegedly marked as targets. Investigators said informants within the Presidential Villa were monitoring the movements of key officials, while some officers were assigned to seize strategic locations, including the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Complex and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Full List of Alleged Suspects
Below is the full list of the 40 suspects, their ranks, units and addresses as obtained by Naija News:
- 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) – Commanding Officer, 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)
- 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, Rtd) – 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 – Presidential Villa Ambulance Driver
- ML Mohammed (Captain) – 18 Battalion
- UI Yusuf (Wing Commander) – International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
- IM Gana (Major General, Rtd) – No. 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
- Stanley Kingley Amandi – Alleged Propagandist
- Goni Bukar
Details of six other suspects were still unclear as of press time.