An interim investigation report has shed new light on an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government, pointing to a covert, multi-service network allegedly coordinated by a serving Army Colonel.
The report, obtained on Tuesday, said the unnamed Colonel allegedly played a central role in recruiting officers, funding operations and coordinating plans that drew personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Investigators linked his alleged involvement to long-standing grievances over repeated failures in promotion, which reportedly fostered deep resentment and talk of the need to unseat the government.
Findings from the probe indicate that the group moved beyond expressions of discontent into early operational planning. Officers were allegedly tasked with discreet surveillance of strategic national assets, including the Presidential Villa, the Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, as well as international airports in Abuja and Lagos.
The alleged plot first surfaced in October 2025 when the Defence Headquarters announced the arrest of 16 officers for breaches of military discipline. Subsequent media reports linked the arrests to clandestine meetings allegedly aimed at toppling the government, with speculation that the scheme may have led to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
Then Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau (retd.), had dismissed the reports as baseless, insisting the issue was an internal disciplinary matter. He said an investigative panel had been constituted and that its findings would be made public.
However, on Monday, the current Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed that a comprehensive investigation had now been concluded in accordance with military procedures and forwarded to appropriate authorities.
According to the interim report, the Colonel emerged as the alleged linchpin of the conspiracy, described by investigators as the chief source of funding, recruitment and motivation. He was also said to have provided ideological justification for the plot.
Searches conducted on his vehicle reportedly uncovered charms and anti-government materials, while a raid on his residence in Lokogoma, Apo, allegedly yielded highly sensitive documents. These documents reportedly included the allocation of responsibilities among key actors and notes detailing how “key national dignitaries” were to be handled during the operation.
“Several testimonies consistently identify the Colonel as the coordinator of the conspiracy,” the report stated, adding that he allegedly financed logistics and encouraged participants while openly lamenting his stalled career.
The group infiltrated the Presidential Villa and allegedly compromised some staff of construction firm Julius Berger to obtain security-related information about the facility.
The Defence Headquarters has said officers indicted in the investigation would be arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel.
Those reportedly in custody 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 Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda. Two others—Maj J. M. Ganaks and Capt G. Binuga—are reportedly being awaited.
Investigators noted that most of the suspects are of northern extraction, with Capt Yusuf from Osun State listed as an exception.
The coup was allegedly planned for October 25, 2025, and was described as potentially deadly, with President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, service chiefs and other senior government officials reportedly marked for elimination.
Intelligence findings also suggest that financial inducements ranging from N2m to N5m were allegedly paid to some officers for logistics and mobilisation. Encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Zangi were reportedly used to coordinate activities, while financial trails linked to the plot are being analysed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, including the possible role of a major financier.
One of the suspects, Lt Col Bappah, reportedly emerged as a key witness, cooperating with investigators and providing details on recruitment, funding flows and communication channels - evidence that security sources say significantly strengthened the case.
The interim report warned that the cross-service nature of the network, the involvement of senior officers and the targeting of strategic installations were strong indicators of deliberate coup-style planning.
As investigations continue and additional suspects are tracked, security agencies said decisive action was required to dismantle the network, secure sensitive locations and disrupt funding lines. The report concluded that the alleged plot posed an immediate threat to national stability.
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