A senior Nigerian Army officer, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, has been identified by military investigators as the principal figure behind the foiled coup plot targeting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Security sources who spoke with Premium Times disclosed that Colonel Ma’aji allegedly coordinated and funded the plot, with financial links traced to a former state governor.
Investigations by Premium Times revealed that the coup was originally scheduled for May 29, 2023—Nigeria’s Democracy Day and the date of President Tinubu’s inauguration. The plan, however, was reportedly abandoned at the time due to logistical setbacks and funding constraints.
The plot was later revived in 2025 after nearly ₦1 billion was allegedly transferred in instalments through a Bureau De Change operator by a former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva.
Following intelligence reports, military operatives conducted a search of Sylva’s Abuja residence. While denying any involvement, his media aide, Julius Bokoru, described the former governor as “an unrepentant and thoroughbred democrat.”
According to security sources, the alleged conspiracy involved plans to simultaneously assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. Other purported targets included the service chiefs and commanders of key military formations.
A source stated, “They have people inside the Villa who monitor the movements of these officials. The plan was to kill them at the same time and install a military government.”
How Intelligence Foiled the Plot
The operation that disrupted the alleged plot was jointly coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the Department of State Services (DSS) in late September 2025. A whistleblower within the military was said to have alerted the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede.
The Director-General of the DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi, reportedly corroborated the intelligence, triggering a covert joint operation across several states.
Sixteen suspects, including Colonel Ma’aji, were initially arrested and detained at the underground facility of the Defence Intelligence Agency. One suspect later escaped custody but was subsequently rearrested in Bauchi State.
President Tinubu was said to have been visibly shaken after receiving a security briefing on the matter. He subsequently cancelled the 2025 Independence Day parade and constituted a special investigation panel chaired by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, General Emmanuel Undiandeye.
The panel’s findings reportedly led to additional arrests and further disclosures, prompting the President to dismiss the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, alongside the heads of the Navy and Air Force.
General Oluyede was later appointed Chief of Defence Staff, while General Musa was subsequently named Minister of Defence following the resignation of Muhammed Badaru on health grounds.
Profile of Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji
Colonel Ma’aji, a native of Niger State, was born on March 1, 1976. He is a graduate of the 47 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was commissioned into the infantry.
During his military career, he participated in several sensitive operations. He served as the commander of Operation Delta Safe and was the Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State, prior to his arrest. His service record also includes participation in Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Niger Delta.
Sources described Ma’aji as “emotionally detached” and “unrepentant,” noting that he has reportedly refused to cooperate with investigators.
While the Defence Headquarters initially denied reports of a coup plot, it later acknowledged in January 2026 that some officers had indeed conspired to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
In a statement, the military said, “The findings revealed a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government. Such conduct is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards of the Armed Forces.”
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