By Our Correspondent
For months, questions have lingered over what really happened behind the scenes when Nigeria was rocked by reports of an alleged military plot to overthrow the democratically elected government of President Bola Tinubu in 2025.
Now, a trove of confidential documents and interrogation statements has offered the most detailed account yet of the alleged conspiracy — including a startling statement attributed to a serving Nigerian Army colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, who investigators identified as one of the central figures in the alleged plot.
According to documents reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES, Ma’aji, 50, allegedly explained to military investigators how the idea of military intervention emerged, how officers were recruited, how funds were raised and why the plan ultimately failed to reach its execution stage.
The alleged plot was uncovered in September 2025, triggering the arrest and interrogation of serving and retired military officers, police personnel and civilians suspected of having various connections to the conspiracy.
The development revived painful memories of Nigeria’s history of military coups, even though the country had gone more than three decades without a successful military takeover.
THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED
Ma’aji was arrested on September 29, 2025 — the same day the Federal Government announced the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
Although the cancellation was widely linked to reports of a possible coup, the Defence Headquarters initially described the investigation involving the arrested officers as an internal process aimed at maintaining discipline and professionalism within the military.
The military authorities later acknowledged that an alleged plot to overthrow the government had indeed been uncovered and said indicted officers would face military judicial proceedings.
The arrests subsequently expanded.
By February 2026, about 40 people — including senior military officers, a police officer and civilians allegedly involved in reconnaissance, funding and propaganda activities — had reportedly been arrested in connection with the case.
THE COLONEL’S ACCOUNT
In his statement, Ma’aji reportedly traced the origin of the alleged movement to 2023, towards the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
He told investigators that worsening insecurity, corruption, unemployment and what he described as poor governance convinced some officers that the country was heading in the wrong direction.
According to him, the idea was initially to identify military officers who shared similar concerns and gradually bring them into the movement.
Ma’aji insisted that the motivation, as he understood it, was patriotism and a desire to change what he considered Nigeria’s deteriorating condition.
However, the alleged movement reportedly struggled from the beginning with one major obstacle: money.
PROPERTY SALES AND PERSONAL FUNDS
Ma’aji reportedly told investigators that he financed much of the early activities from his personal resources.
He claimed to have sold three houses in Kaduna State as well as a students’ hostel at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to raise money for the movement.
He also named other officers who allegedly contributed funds, including one major who reportedly contributed ₦1 million and another officer who allegedly provided dollars on several occasions.
But the financial difficulties continued to frustrate the plan.
THE FAILED PROMOTION THAT REVIVED THE PLAN
The alleged movement was eventually revived after Ma’aji failed a second attempt at promotion to brigadier-general in 2024.
According to his statement, some officers urged him to revive the plan because they feared he could be prematurely retired.
One of the officers he identified as being particularly enthusiastic about reviving the movement was Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah.
Ma’aji reportedly said Bappah travelled from Ibadan to Abuja to persuade him that the group had to revive its plans.
Meetings were subsequently held at different locations in Abuja, including hotels in Lokogoma.
But Ma’aji said his failed promotion was not the primary motivation.
Instead, he alleged that members of the movement were increasingly concerned about economic hardship, insecurity, fuel subsidy removal, naira reforms, taxation, electricity tariff increases and corruption.
HOW THE ALLEGED PLAN WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK
The most explosive part of Ma’aji’s statement concerns what investigators say was the proposed execution of the alleged coup.
According to the statement attributed to him, the plan involved mobilising military personnel and other operatives, gathering weapons and resources and placing key government and military officials under arrest.
He reportedly said the operation was intended to take place at night.
He also mentioned alleged discussions about using members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who he claimed could be mobilised from the North-East.
However, Ma’aji acknowledged that the force was never fully assembled.
There was also, according to his statement, no fixed D-Day.
The alleged conspirators were reportedly still waiting for additional officers, soldiers, resources and logistics before proceeding.
In other words, the alleged operation remained at the planning and mobilisation stage when security authorities moved in.
THE NAMES THAT EMERGED
Ma’aji’s statement reportedly mentioned several serving and retired officers and civilians whom he claimed were connected to different aspects of the alleged movement.
He also referred to former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, alleging that the former governor had contributed about ₦400 million.
However, Sylva has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged conspiracy.
His spokesperson previously described him as a committed democrat and rejected claims that he participated in planning or financing a coup.
Other people mentioned in Ma’aji’s statement have also denied wrongdoing.
COURTS YET TO DETERMINE GUILT
Despite the explosive nature of the allegations, the statements obtained during the investigations do not by themselves establish criminal guilt.
Ma’aji and other accused persons facing trial have denied wrongdoing and challenged the admissibility of some statements and interrogation recordings, arguing that they were not obtained voluntarily.
The prosecution, however, maintains that proper procedures were followed.
A trial-within-trial has consequently been ordered to determine whether some of the disputed statements were voluntarily obtained before they can be admitted as evidence in the substantive proceedings.
‘THERE WAS NO D-DAY’
Perhaps the most revealing admission in Ma’aji’s account is that the alleged coup never reached the point of execution.
According to the statement attributed to him, the group was still searching for resources, additional personnel and senior military backing.
He reportedly told investigators that several planned meetings had yet to take place.
The alleged operation therefore remained incomplete when security agencies began making arrests in September 2025.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
Beyond the courtroom battles, Ma’aji’s account raises a much bigger question about the pressures within Nigeria’s military and wider society.
He reportedly described soldiers struggling with inadequate welfare, young Nigerians facing unemployment and citizens becoming increasingly frustrated with insecurity and economic hardship.
But while those grievances may form part of his explanation for the alleged movement, the courts will ultimately determine whether the accused persons committed the offences with which they have been charged.
For now, the alleged coup remains a matter before the courts — and the full story of what happened behind the scenes in 2025 may only emerge as the trials continue.
The revelations have opened a new chapter in one of the most closely watched military investigations in Nigeria’s recent history.
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