The Nigerian military has intensified investigations into an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, with a Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South-South currently being interrogated over suspicious fund transfers linked to the alleged conspiracy.
According to security sources, the detained official is being questioned for allegedly transferring a large sum of money to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who has been accused of financing the purported coup attempt.
“The MD transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva,” a senior intelligence officer said. “Investigators believe the transaction is connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about the purpose of the money.”
Okay News reports that military operatives raided Sylva’s Abuja residence on Saturday, arresting his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, along with his driver. The former Bayelsa State governor, who was out of the country during the operation, reportedly decided to delay his return to Nigeria after learning of the arrest of some of the alleged coup plotters.
A security source explained, “Sylva’s Abuja home was raided on Saturday, but he wasn’t around. His younger brother and driver were arrested. Investigators believe he may have funded the coup plot. He was abroad and preparing to return when he heard about the arrests, so he stayed back.”
Efforts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, were unsuccessful as they did not respond to calls.
Earlier this month, the Defence Headquarters announced that 16 officers had been detained for violating military regulations. In a statement dated October 4, Brig.-Gen. Gusau said, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations. Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations.”
However, online platform SaharaReporters claimed that the arrested officers—ranging from Captains to Brigadier Generals—were detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government. It alleged that the officers had been picked up from various locations across the country.
A source quoted by the outlet said, “The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in their public statement. They had started holding secret meetings on how to overthrow the President and other top government officials.”
The investigation remains ongoing as security agencies continue to trace the financial and operational links of the alleged conspirators.
