₦airaland Forum

An interim investigation report into the alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has revealed that a clandestine network of military officers, coordinated by an Army Colonel (name withheld), planned the takeover, with funding, recruitment and operational planning traced directly to him.

The report, sighted by The PUNCH on Tuesday, indicated that the officer mobilised like-minded personnel across the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, assigning them to covertly survey critical national installations, including the Presidential Villa, major military barracks and international airports.

According to investigators, the officer’s repeated failure in promotion examinations reportedly fuelled his disaffection, which he exploited to recruit others nursing similar grievances.

The report said the plot went beyond casual dissent and entered early operational planning, marked by reconnaissance of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and international airports in Abuja and Lagos.
How plot was uncovered

The Defence Headquarters had, in October 2025, announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

Shortly after, SaharaReporters reported that the officers—ranging from Captain to Brigadier-General—were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency over alleged secret meetings to topple the government, linking the development to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.

At the time, the then Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau (retd.), dismissed the report as speculative, describing the matter as a purely internal disciplinary issue.

However, on Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed that investigations had been concluded and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.
Charms, documents, funding trail

In the interim report, the Colonel was identified as the alleged coordinator of the conspiracy.

Investigators said a search of his vehicle uncovered charms and anti-government materials, while a raid on his residence in Lokogoma, Apo, Abuja, yielded what they described as “very sensitive documents.”

These included written allocations of roles to key actors and notes identifying how “key national dignitaries” were to be handled during the operation.

“Multiple testimonies implicate the Colonel as the coordinator of the conspiracy. He has been identified as the source of funding, recruitment and motivation,” the report stated.

Financial inducements ranging between ₦2m and ₦5m were allegedly paid to some principal actors for logistics and mobilisation, with investigators tracing the funds to the Colonel and at least one major financier now under investigation.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit is analysing the financial trail, the report said.

One of the suspects, Lt.-Col. S. Bappah, was identified as a critical cooperating witness.

Investigators said his testimony detailed funding flows, recruitment strategies and communication channels, strengthening the case against the alleged network.

Encrypted messaging platforms, including WhatsApp and Zangi, were allegedly used to coordinate activities, while discreet vehicle repairs and fund movements pointed to early-stage logistical preparations.
Targets, timeline, suspects

The foiled plot was allegedly planned for October 25, 2025, with investigators stating that it was designed to be fatal.

According to the report, the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, service chiefs and other top government officials were marked for elimination.

The officers named as suspects include:

Brig.-Gen. M.A. Sadiq; Col M.A. Maaji; Lt.-Col. S. Bappah; Lt.-Col. A.A. Hayatu; Lt.-Col. P. Dangnap; Lt.-Col. M. Almakura; Maj. A.J. Ibrahim; Maj. M.M. Jiddah; Maj. M.A. Usman; Maj. D. Yusuf; Capt. I. Bello; Capt. A.A. Yusuf; Lt. S.S. Felix; Lt.-Cmdr. D.B. Abdullahi; Sqn. Ldr. S.B. Adamu; and Maj. I. Dauda.

Maj. J.M. Ganaks and Capt. G. Binuga were said to be awaiting interrogation.

Most of the suspects are of northern extraction, except Capt. Yusuf, who hails from Osun State.
Probe widens

Security sources said the investigation had expanded beyond serving officers to include civilian contacts, financiers and political associates.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the plotters infiltrated the Presidential Villa and allegedly compromised staff of construction firm Julius Berger to obtain security information.

Sources confirmed that the name of a former minister surfaced during intelligence reviews, though no formal charges or arrest warrants have been issued.

“The investigation is not limited to uniforms alone,” a source said. “We are examining communication trails, financial flows and political interfaces.”

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that officers indicted will be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels in line with the Armed Forces Act.

Investigators warned that the cross-service nature of the network, the involvement of senior officers and the identification of strategic installations pointed to deliberate coup-style planning.

“The threat posed was clear and immediate,” the report concluded, warning that failure to act could have had grave implications for national stability.

https://mcebiscoo.com/coup-thwarted-army-colonels-secret-tactics-behind-tinubus-narrow-escape/

Jagaban may forgive him and make him an ambassador!

They're amateur, the coup suppose to be successful, tinubu snatched it right

The wages of Sin is death..😁😁😁 In this case , the officers involved here are as good as kpaied...no be me say am , na the rules of the Ng military be that...it is well

Medicine after death..🤣🤣😄🤣

ALLNIGERIANSMAD:
They're amateur, the coup suppose to be successful, tinubu snatched it right

I hope they are not planning to involve igbo because I don't know the risen they refused to name the conel name the leader of the cop.

All the conspirators was name and you don't want to name the mastermind of the cop are you crazy.

They should have known that military coup can no more work in Nigeria

Madmohamed1:
I hope they are not planning to involve igbo because I don't know the risen they refused to name the conel name the leader of the cop.

All the conspirators was name and you don't want to name the mastermind of the cop are you crazy.

The unnamed colonel could be Ibo, could be from any tribe.
Are you scared for him? Let coup plotters face the consequences by themselves.

Madmohamed1:
I hope they are not planning to involve igbo because I don't know the risen they refused to name the conel name the leader of the cop.

All the conspirators was name and you don't want to name the mastermind of the cop are you crazy.

Why do you guys always want to insert your victim mentality into every national issue? Since the news broke out, it’s either you guys complaining that Yorubas are not calling the coup a northern coup or you’re all crying that nothing is being done to the plotters because they are not Igbo or oh, they should not involve your people.


You SE folks should quit this annoying behavior. This is a military issue and not about you. Stop trying to force yourself into this matter. Those who planned the botched coup will face the consequences irrespective of their ethnicity. So please, stop viewing every national issue with a tribal lens. Thanks.

LordIsaac:
Jagaban may forgive him and make him an ambassador!

He should go to Aso Rock, prostrate on the floor and beg for forgivesness. Show proof that he has retracted from his behaviour and he will be cleared to be an Ambassador.

seunmsg:
Why do you guys always want to insert your victim mentality into every national issue? Since the news broke out, it’s either you guys complaining that Yorubas are not calling the coup a northern coup or you’re all crying that nothing is being done to the plotters because they are not Igbo or oh, they should not involve your people.


You SE folks should quit this annoying behavior. This is a military issue and not about you. Stop trying to force yourself into this matter. Those who planned the botched coup will face the consequences irrespective of their ethnicity. So please, stop viewing every national issue with a tribal lens. Thanks.

anty calm down

seunmsg:
Why do you guys always want to insert your victim mentality into every national issue? Since the news broke out, it’s either you guys complaining that Yorubas are not calling the coup a northern coup or you’re all crying that nothing is being done to the plotters because they are not Igbo or oh, they should not involve your people.


You SE folks should quit this annoying behavior. This is a military issue and not about you. Stop trying to force yourself into this matter. Those who planned the botched coup will face the consequences irrespective of their ethnicity. So please, stop viewing every national issue with a tribal lens. Thanks.

It really is annoying. Over every damn matter as well to include those that does not concern them even remotely.

They were not good enough

20Ebisco:
An interim investigation report into the alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has revealed that a clandestine network of military officers, coordinated by an Army Colonel (name withheld), planned the takeover, with funding, recruitment and operational planning traced directly to him.

The report, sighted by The PUNCH on Tuesday, indicated that the officer mobilised like-minded personnel across the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, assigning them to covertly survey critical national installations, including the Presidential Villa, major military barracks and international airports.

According to investigators, the officer’s repeated failure in promotion examinations reportedly fuelled his disaffection, which he exploited to recruit others nursing similar grievances.

The report said the plot went beyond casual dissent and entered early operational planning, marked by reconnaissance of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and international airports in Abuja and Lagos.

How plot was uncovered
.
.
.
https://mcebiscoo.com/coup-thwarted-army-colonels-secret-tactics-behind-tinubus-narrow-escape/

You didn't explain how it was uncovered.

seunmsg:
Why do you guys always want to insert your victim mentality into every national issue? Since the news broke out, it’s either you guys complaining that Yorubas are not calling the coup a northern coup or you’re all crying that nothing is being done to the plotters because they are not Igbo or oh, they should not involve your people.


You SE folks should quit this annoying behavior. This is a military issue and not about you. Stop trying to force yourself into this matter. Those who planned the botched coup will face the consequences irrespective of their ethnicity. So please, stop viewing every national issue with a tribal lens. Thanks.

Funny how this your 'stop viewing everything through a tribal lens' slogan only surfaces when SE people raise concerns, but not when narratives are being quietly shaped.

seunmsg, listen, no one, and I repeat, no one is inserting victim mentality here. What people are asking for is consistency and transparency: the same standards applied across the board, regardless of ethnicity. That is not tribalism; that is accountability.

If this is truly a military issue and ethnicity is irrelevant, then good, that’s exactly the point. Investigate fully. Prosecute openly.

But let’s be honest; history has taught some Nigerians to be cautious, not silent.

And let me add this clearly, I hope you don’t change this stance if the Army colonel involved is eventually named and he happens to be Igbo.
I hope we don’t suddenly hear excuses, downplaying, or selective outrage.

Because we all know that part of the reason there has been no outrage from you folks so far is that no one from the SE has been mentioned.

National unity is built on equal treatment, not selective sensitivity.

So no, this isn’t about forcing ourselves into anything.
It’s about ensuring that justice does not depend on who you are or where you come from

ElSudani:
The unnamed colonel could be Ibo, could be from any tribe.
Are you scared for him? Let coup plotters face the consequences by themselves.

You are speaking sparogatively instead of asking why this publication didn't name the big, whereas we already know his identity and he's someone you dare not run your mouth on?

Why is Punch withholding the Colonel's name?

His name is Mohammed Ma'aji. Colonel Mohammed Ma'aji was the coordinator of the coup, while Brigadier-General Musa Abubakar Sadiq was the leader.

Lieutenant Colonel M. Al-Makura is Named as a "mastermind" of the operation. He is a nephew of former Nasarawa Governor Tanko Al-Makura and was reportedly recently assigned to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

seunmsg:
Why do you guys always want to insert your victim mentality into every national issue? Since the news broke out, it’s either you guys complaining that Yorubas are not calling the coup a northern coup or you’re all crying that nothing is being done to the plotters because they are not Igbo or oh, they should not involve your people.


You SE folks should quit this annoying behavior. This is a military issue and not about you. Stop trying to force yourself into this matter. Those who planned the botched coup will face the consequences irrespective of their ethnicity. So please, stop viewing every national issue with a tribal lens. Thanks.

unfortunately when Igbos are involved ,,,,you guys make it an Igbo affair pretty quick!

ALLNIGERIANSMAD:
They're amateur, the coup suppose to be successful, tinubu snatched it right

This is NOT about Tinubu but Nigeria .

Nigeria has gone beyond the era of Military coups.

There are matured and intelligent officers in the Military, who knew the negative implications of coups for a fragile country like Nigeria and reported it.

MyExpression:
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You didn't explain how it was uncovered.

Somebody ,who is studying the guys ,reported them.

Strangest coup accusations in Nigerias history

richiemcgold:
They should have known that military coup can no more work in Nigeria

Why? Can you give us the reason?

It's an attempted coup led by losers. In the usual fashion of Nigerians, they can't even get it right.

Abufo:
unfortunately when Igbos are involved ,,,,you guys make it an Igbo affair pretty quick!

Now that you are not involved, can you just stay out of it and stop trying to insert yourself into the conversation.

Time should not be wasted in making them dance to the music.