By Joe Udo
ABUJA (CONVERSEER) – Military investigators have intensified a probe into an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, with sources confirming the arrest and interrogation of a Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South South region.
According to reports obtained by The Punch, the unnamed MD was detained for allegedly transferring a large sum of money to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva. Intelligence officers involved in the investigation believe the funds were intended to finance a coup attempt.
An intelligence source disclosed that, “The MD transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the transfer was connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for.”
Further findings revealed that military operatives raided Sylva’s Abuja residence on Saturday. During the operation, his younger brother, Paga — who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs — and his driver were reportedly arrested. Sylva, however, was said to be outside the country at the time.
A source familiar with the operation explained that Sylva had planned to return to Nigeria but changed his mind after learning that the suspected coup leaders had been apprehended. “Sylva’s house was raided on Saturday, but he wasn’t around. His SA, Domestic, and the driver were arrested. Investigators believe he funded the coup plot. He stayed back abroad after hearing that those involved had been arrested,” the source said.
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Efforts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, were unsuccessful on Tuesday as they did not respond to calls.
It will be recalled that on 4th October, Gusau released a statement announcing the detention of 16 officers over what the military described as breaches of service regulations and acts of indiscipline. The statement clarified that the detained officers’ grievances were linked to perceived stagnation in career progression due to repeated failure in promotion examinations.
However, online reports have since claimed that the officers, who range in rank from Captain to Brigadier General, were actually arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly plotting to topple the government.
According to SaharaReporters, “The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in the statement released by the spokesperson. They had started holding secret meetings on how to overthrow the President and other top government officials.”
Neither the Defence Headquarters nor Sylva has issued an official statement on the latest development as of the time of filing this report.
