Tension in Abuja as Military Probes Coup Plot, Searches Home of Ex-Minister Timipre Sylva

The Nigerian military has reportedly expanded its investigation into an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as operatives have begun questioning the Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South-South region over suspicious financial transactions.

According to The Punch, two senior intelligence sources confirmed that the agency boss was detained and interrogated for allegedly transferring a large sum of money to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva. Security operatives suspect that the transaction may be linked to the alleged coup plot that has recently rattled the country’s military and political circles.

“The MD (name withheld) transferred a huge amount of money to Sylva. Investigators are currently probing the possibility that the transfer was connected to the coup. He is answering detailed questions about the purpose of the money,” one of the intelligence officials was quoted as saying.

Reports further revealed that Sylva’s Abuja home was raided on Saturday by a team of military operatives. During the operation, his younger brother, Paga Sylva — who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs — and his driver were arrested and taken into custody.

At the time of the raid, Sylva, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was reportedly abroad. Sources close to the investigation said the former minister was preparing to return to Nigeria but decided against it after receiving information that several suspects linked to the alleged coup had already been apprehended.

“Sylva’s residence in Abuja was stormed by security agents on Saturday, but he was not around. His younger brother and driver were arrested. Investigators strongly believe that he provided financial backing for the coup plan. He was supposed to return to Nigeria but stayed back after learning that some military officers involved had been detained,” another source disclosed.

Earlier, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, confirmed in a statement on October 4 that sixteen military officers had been arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has led to the arrest of sixteen officers over issues relating to indiscipline and breach of service regulations. Investigations so far revealed that their grievances stemmed from perceived career stagnation due to repeated failure in promotion examinations,” the statement partly read.

However, in a conflicting account, SaharaReporters reported that the arrested officers — ranging from the ranks of Captain to Brigadier General — were being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly planning to overthrow the government.

“The sixteen officers were plotting a coup. The military’s official statement was only a cover to avoid panic. The arrested soldiers had started holding secret meetings on how to topple the President and some senior officials,” an unnamed source told SaharaReporters.

As of the time of filing this report, the Defence Headquarters has not issued an official response regarding the alleged interrogation of the federal agency boss or the raid on Sylva’s home.