Military investigators examining an alleged plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are reportedly interrogating a managing director of a federal government agency in the South-South region.
Two intelligence officers confirmed that the managing director was taken into custody for allegedly transferring a large sum of money to a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who was identified as one of those financing the alleged attempt to forcefully change the government.
According to findings, investigators suspect that the money was intended to fund the coup.
“The MD (name withheld) transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the fund transfer was connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for.”
The Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor Sylva was reportedly searched by investigators on Saturday. During the operation, military personnel arrested his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on domestic affairs, along with his driver.
The former minister and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress was said to be outside the country at the time of the search.
Sources familiar with the development stated that he was planning to return to Nigeria but changed his mind upon learning that some suspected coup plotters had been arrested.
“Sylva’s Abuja home was raided on Saturday, but he wasn’t around. His younger brother, Paga, who is the SA, Domestic, and the driver, were arrested. Investigators believe Sylva allegedly funded the coup plot. Sylva was abroad and was preparing to leave for Nigeria when he got wind of the arrest of the coup leaders. So, he stayed back.”
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 answer calls.
Gusau had earlier issued a statement on October 4 stating that 16 officers were detained for breaching military regulations and engaging in acts of indiscipline.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
“Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations,” the statement partly read.
However, it was gathered that the detained officers, who ranged in rank from Captain to Brigadier General, were being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency on allegations of planning to overthrow the government.
It was also learnt that the officers were arrested at their various homes across the country.
“The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in the statement released by the spokesperson. They have started holding secret meetings on how to overthrow the President and other top government officials,” an unnamed source disclosed.
