₦airaland Forum

PREMIUM TIMES has obtained fresh details suggesting an elaborate plot by suspected coup conspirators to storm Nigeria’s seat of power, seize the Presidential Villa, and capture President Bola Tinubu and other top officials in a coordinated operation that spanned key military and national assets.

Findings show that beyond earlier reports of assassination plans, the alleged plotters also designed a multi-layered operation aimed at taking control of Aso Rock and other key locations, neutralising top military leadership, and decapitating Nigeria’s command and leadership structures.

At the heart of the alleged conspiracy was a plan to overrun the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria’s most fortified political stronghold, and capture President Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were also to be captured and possibly eliminated.

Investigators say specific officers were detailed to lead the assault on the Villa, forming what sources described as the “decapitation unit” of the operation.

The alleged plan extended beyond political leaders to include key security figures such as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, then Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and State Security Service Director-General Adeola Ajayi, all of whom were marked as high-value targets.

According to this newspaper’s multiple reliable insiders, the operation was structured like a full-scale military takeover, with units assigned to seize strategic installations simultaneously.

While one team moved on the Presidential Villa, another was tasked with taking control of the Niger Barracks, a critical military formation overlooking the presidential Villa and housing the country’s top military chiefs.

There, specific officers were allegedly assigned to eliminate top-ranking officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs.

Additional units were designated to capture the Armed Forces of Nigeria Complex in the Garki District of the nation’s capital and secure the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, effectively cutting off both military coordination and escape routes.

One senior security source described the plan as “highly coordinated, with clear command structures, targets, and timelines,” suggesting it went far beyond a loose conspiracy.

Investigators say the network cut across operational, logistical, and psychological components, from battlefield coordination to messaging.

According to investigators, Officers A.A. Hayatu, D. Yusuf, M.A. Usman, Binuga, and A.A. Yusuf were assigned to strike at the Presidential Villa.

Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah was assigned to eliminate the Chief of Defence Staff. Lieutenant Colonel P. Dangnap was tasked with taking down the Chief of Army Staff.

A.A. Dauda was to target the Chief of Air Staff, while Major Jiddah was assigned to eliminate the Commander of the Guards Brigade.

Sources say this phase of the operation was designed to paralyse military response and prevent organised resistance to the takeover.

Beyond Aso Rock and the Niger Barracks, the alleged plot extended to other critical installations in Abuja.

Officer D.B. Abdullahi was designated to lead the team tasked with seizing the Armed Forces of Nigeria Complex.

Officer S.B. Adamu was assigned to head operations to take control of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, securing entry and exit routes into the capital.

The coordinated seizure of these sites, investigators say, would have effectively handed operational control of the capital to the plotters within hours.

The alleged conspiracy involved at least 40 suspects, including senior officers such as Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq, and Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, as well as several lieutenant colonels drawn from signals, infantry, and special forces units.

Other named officers include Lieutenant Colonels A.A. Hayatu, P. Dangnap, M. Almakura, and S.M. Gana, as well asMajors and Captains embedded across various units.

Investigators say the network also included civilians positioned for support roles. Among them were Umoru Zekeri, identified as an electrician within the Presidential Villa; Ali Isah, an ambulance driver; and Nollywood actor Stanley Kingsley Amandi, allegedly recruited to coordinate propaganda efforts during the operation.

Weapons stockpile and logistics
Security agencies recovered a significant cache of weapons and operational assets linked to the suspects. These include gun trucks, anti-aircraft weapons, RPG bombs, machine guns, and large quantities of ammunition.

Also seized were dozens of vehicles, including Toyota Hilux trucks and Volkswagen Golf cars, believed to have been procured for rapid deployment and covert movement within Abuja.

Sources familiar with the investigation said the scale of the recoveries indicated “serious intent and preparedness,” reinforcing concerns about how close the plot may have come to execution.

The suspects were arrested in a covert joint operation involving Army Headquarters and the State Security Service. Many remain in detention, while others, particularly civilians linked to financing and logistics, are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the SSS.

The Defence Headquarters has since confirmed that investigations are complete and that the findings have been submitted to higher authorities for action, describing the alleged conduct as a grave breach of military ethics and professional standards.

Two high-profile figures (a retired major general and former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva) have been named in connection with the network and are currently at large.

Families of coup suspects push back
However, the narrative from authorities has been strongly contested by families of the detained coup suspects, who say their husbands and relatives have been held for over 160 days without a fair hearing.

At a recent press conference, the families demanded an open trial and access to the detainees, alleging inconsistencies in the official account and warning against “trial by media.”

They also questioned shifting claims about funds allegedly linked to the suspects and urged the government to uphold constitutional guarantees of due process.

“We are not asking for favours,” the families said. “We are asking for justice, transparency, and the truth.”

With authorities saying investigations have been concluded, attention is now turning to the next phase — prosecution.

But questions remain over whether the suspects will face a public trial, as demanded by their families, or be subjected to closed military proceedings.

orisa37:
GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS 36 CONSTITUTIONAL STATES.

Splashme:
The first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, on Tuesday, said that the cancellation of the Lagos metroline project in 1985 was a major mistake and disservice to many Nigerians.

Jakande spoke in Lagos during the launch of a book which chronicled his life in politics and journalism.

The book, entitled, ‘Jakande: Leadership in Action’ is written by Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, who told the audience at the event that the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was not responsible for the cancellation of the project.

Jakande said, “Reflecting on the metroline project, I think it is a major disservice to many Nigerians. Imagine how many people would have benefitted. It would have made life easier and changed the face of transport in Lagos. Whoever cancelled it or gave the advice towards its cancellation didn’t do right.”

The former governor asked Nigerians not to vote for unserious leaders in the coming polls, saying the elections presented Nigerians with a good opportunity that should not be squandered.

Expressing the hope that Nigeria would soon overcome its developmental challenges, Jakande said hope would be actualised faster if credible people emerged as leaders in the next dispensation.

He said, “This book comes at a very auspicious time in Nigeria’s history as we need leaders who can act. We need leaders who would not compromise the standards of good governance. God has blessed this nation the most in Africa, although we have not reached where we should be; with the right leaders, Nigeria would overcome its challenges.”


http://www.punchng.com/news/cancelling-metroline-a-major-mistake-jakande/

eluquenson:
REVISITING SOME OF THE LATEEF JAKANDE'S GOVERNMENT ACHIEVEMENTS FROM OCTOBER 1979 TO DECEMBER 1983 (FOUR YEARS AND 3 MONTHS) IN LAGOS STATE

* His government built the current Lagos State Secretariat which houses all the state ministries as well as the popular round house hitherto occupied by all subsequent governors of the state.

* His government built the Lagos State House of Assembly complex.

* His government built the Lagos State Television

* His government built the Lagos Radio

* His government built Lagos State University

* His government established General Hospital in zones all over the state with assurance of free health care.

* His government established Teacher Training College and the College of Education.

* His government built low cost houses in Ijaiye, Dolphin, Oke-Afa, Ije, Abesan, Iponri, Ipaja, Abule Nla, Epe, Amuwo-Odofin, Anikantamo, Surulere, Iba, Ikorodu, Badagry, Isheri/Olowu, Orisigun etc.

* His government established the Water Management Board and Waste Disposal Board on the 18th of August, 1980.

* His government constructed the Adiyan Water Works to increase water supply in the state to 18.16 million litres per day.

* His government modernized and expanded the Iju Water Works which was first commissioned in 1915. This increased daily capacity from 159 million to 204 million litres per day.

* His government purchased and commissioned the giant car crusher equipment. The equipment was designed specifically to crush derelict vehicles in Lagos State. It had the capacity to crush 45 vehicles per day.

* His government constructed, rehabilitated and resurfaced Epe/Ijebu-Ode Road, Oba Akran Avenue, Toyin Street, Town Planning Way, Alimosho-Idimu-Egbe Road, Idimu-Iba-LASU Road, the new secretariat road and several others.

* His government constructed Victoria Island/Epe Road and thereby creating an ‘oil rig’ for Lagos State.

* His government established Asphalt Plant for the Department of Public Works.

* His government established Electricity Board for Rural Electrification with provision of street lights.

* His government modernized, expanded and commissioned Onikan Stadium in 1982.

* His government established a singular school system and ensured genuine free education in Lagos State and the beneficiaries of this policy are in different positions of eminence in the country and around the world.

* His government raised the primary schools in Lagos State to 812 with 533,001 pupils (against 605 primary schools with 434,545 pupils he met in 1979) and secondary schools to 223 with 167,629 students (against 105 schools with 107,835 students in 1979).

* His government constructed 11, 729 classrooms with the maximum of 40 children per class between March and August 1980, by 1983, he had constructed over 22,000 classrooms.

* In July 1983, two commercial passenger boats christened "Baba Kekere and Itafaji" to run the Mile 2 - Marina (CMS) route via the lagoons were inaugurated by his government to mark the official launch of the Lagos State ferry services.

* His government took over the ownership and financing of Lagos State Printing Corporation in July 1980

* His government established the first State Traffic Management Authority (Road Marshals).

* His government established small scale Industries Credit Scheme which preceded the EKO bank.

*His government established LASACO Insurance.

*His government expanded existing market and built new ones.

*His government established Traditional Medicine Board.

WHO SAYS 4 YEARS IN OFFICE IS NOT ENOUGH FOR MEANINGFUL ACHIEVEMENTS?

IT'S A FACT THAT 90% OF GOVERNORS IN NIGERIA SINCE 1999 WITH REVENUES AT THEIR DISPOSAL CANNOT BOAST OF A QUARTER OF THESE ACHIEVEMENTS EVEN WITHIN THEIR EIGHT YEARS IN OFFICE.

Midenola:
Democracy have come to stay in Nigeria

Better days ahead when all these greedy old men and politicians will not be allowed anymore close to power.

The Political class have done so much damage to this Country

Midenola:
Democracy have come to stay in Nigeria

Better days ahead when all these greedy old men and politicians will not be allowed anymore close to power.

The Political class have done so much damage to this Country

SmartPolician:
What Nigeria is practicing is not democracy
There has to be another name for it.

Cashio:
Would it have been better! Time will tell

AnonPoet:
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/865263-exclusive-how-suspected-coupists-allegedly-plotted-to-capture-aso-rock-eliminate-tinubu-other6s.html