REVEALED: How Tinubu’s authorities survived foiled coup plot
As Nigerians ready for the switch of energy on Could 29, 2023, some army officers had been allegedly plotting to overthrow democracy and assassinate key political figures.
Sources mentioned the alleged coup was aimed toward violently disrupting the handover of energy from Muhammadu Buhari to Bola Tinubu.
The plot was initially scheduled for Could 29, 2023, however was suspended attributable to inadequate funds and insufficient logistical preparations.
The plan was allegedly masterminded by Alhassan Ma’aji, a Colonel within the Nigerian Military and a local of Niger state.
Ma’aji, a member of the infantry corps and the 47 Common Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, beforehand served as commanding officer of the 19 battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo state.
He additionally participated in Operation Crocodile Smile II in 2017 and later served as commander of Operation Delta Protected.
Sources informed Premium Instances that the plot was reactivated in 2025 after Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa state, allegedly transferred practically ₦1 billion in a number of tranches to accounts linked to a Bureau de Change operator.
Sylva later denied involvement within the alleged plot after troopers raided his residence throughout investigations and was subsequently declared wished by the EFCC.
Investigators mentioned the alleged coupists deliberate to assassinate Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Additional investigations confirmed that Service Chiefs, the Commander of the Guards Brigade and different senior officers had been additionally listed as targets.
Among the officers had been allegedly assigned to grab management of the Presidential Villa, the Niger Barracks, the Armed Forces of Nigeria advanced and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Worldwide Airport.
The plot started to unravel in September 2025 after a army officer alerted Olufemi Oluyede, then Chief of Military Workers, over fears of being implicated in treason.
Across the similar interval, the Division of State Safety (DSS) independently uncovered intelligence indicating that some serving officers had been planning to destabilise the federal government.
Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-Basic of the DSS, was mentioned to have personally briefed Oluyede on the findings.
The Military and the DSS subsequently launched a discreet joint operation that led to coordinated arrests throughout completely different elements of the nation.
Tinubu was later briefed on the foiled plot and instantly ordered the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
The president additionally authorised the structure of a particular investigative panel led by Maj-Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence.
One of many detained troopers reportedly escaped custody however was rearrested by dSS operatives in Bauchi, whereas a retired officer recognized as Adamu and Sylva stay at massive.
Tinubu later authorised the retirement of the then Chief of Defence Workers, Musa, alongside the chiefs of the Navy and Air Drive.
Oluyede was subsequently appointed Chief of Defence Workers, whereas Musa later returned to authorities as minister of defence.