By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
DHQ uncovers details of foiled coup plot against Tinubu
Fresh details have emerged on the foiled coup attempt against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with security investigations revealing how a serving Army Colonel allegedly mobilised a covert network of officers across the Armed Forces before the plot was uncovered.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had earlier announced the arrest and indictment of 16 officers for acts of indiscipline and violations of military regulations, following weeks of internal investigations triggered by intelligence reports of unusual activities within the military.
Rumours of a possible coup plot first surfaced in October 2025, spreading across social media platforms. At the time, the DHQ dismissed the reports as false and misleading.
However, subsequent findings from an interim investigation report, sighted by Punch Newspapers, indicate that the alleged plot was real and at an early planning stage before it was disrupted.
According to the report, the alleged mastermind of the plot was a serving Army Colonel who became increasingly disgruntled after repeated failures in promotion examinations.
Security sources said the officer allegedly exploited shared grievances among some personnel to quietly recruit members from the Army, Navy and Air Force, forming a loose but coordinated network.
Investigators said members of the group were assigned to observe and study strategic national installations, including the Presidential Villa, the Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and international airports in Abuja and Lagos, with a view to identifying access routes, routines and vulnerabilities.
Security agencies also reported that searches conducted during the arrests uncovered charms and materials considered hostile to the government in the officer’s vehicle.
A raid on his residence in Lokogoma, Apo, reportedly led to the recovery of documents outlining assigned roles and preliminary operational plans.
Further findings suggest that the suspects exploited insider access within the Presidential Villa, including compromising auxiliary workers linked to construction firm Julius Berger, to obtain sensitive security information.
Encrypted communication platforms were allegedly used to coordinate activities, while unusual cash movements and discreet vehicle repairs raised additional suspicion.
Financial investigations revealed that some key actors allegedly received inducements ranging from ₦2 million to ₦5 million, with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit currently analysing the money trail to identify possible civilian collaborators and funding sources.
One of the suspects, Lt-Col. S. Bappah, was said to have cooperated with investigators, providing details on recruitment methods, funding arrangements and communication patterns within the group.
Security officials said the plot, which allegedly cut across all three arms of the Armed Forces and involved officers up to the rank of Brigadier-General, was uncovered ahead of its planned execution date of October 25, 2025.
The President, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, senior ministers, service chiefs and other top government officials were among those reportedly listed as potential targets.
The DHQ has confirmed that all indicted officers will face military judicial panels, while investigations continue to identify any civilian or political actors linked to the foiled plot.
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