Forty suspects have so far been detained for alleged plot to violently overthrow the democratically elected government of President Bola Tinubu.
Among the suspects are senior military officers across the armed forces, a police officer, and civilians allegedly involved in reconnaissance, funding, and propaganda operations.
The 40 suspects were identified following conclusion of investigations into the plot by Nigerian security agencies.
The suspects were apprehended following a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS).
According to PREMIUM TIMES, thirteen people were apprehended by the SSS, including two military personnel (one retired), one policeman, and ten civilians, in connection with the alleged plot.
Sixteen military officers were arrested for direct participation, two civilians for reconnaissance, two for being recruited to incite civil disobedience to justify the coup, and five others in connection with funding channels.
The newspaper also reported that one detained soldier escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi.
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that the investigation had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
The military disclosed that findings identified “several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” describing such conduct as “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
It was gathered that the coup plotters initially planned to disrupt the handover of power from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu on 29 May 2023, during the presidential inauguration.
However, the plan was suspended due to insufficient funds and inadequate logistical arrangements.
The conspirators allegedly reactivated their plans in 2025 after Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, allegedly transferred nearly N1 billion in multiple tranches to three separate bank accounts operated by a Bureau De Change operator, our sources said.
Mr Sylva and a retired officer identified as General Adamu, both accused of bankrolling the coup plotters, remain at large.
The investigation has identified retired Major General Adamu as one of the key figures connected to the network. He remains at large, alongside three other suspects.
Intelligence sources disclosed that one of the fleeing suspects was tracked to a country in South America, though his exact location has not been officially disclosed for security reasons.
Multiple security agencies are now working together to dismantle the remaining cells linked to the plot, with ongoing surveillance and cross-border intelligence coordination.
The full list obtained by PREMIUM TIMES includes MA Sadiq, a brigadier general attached to the Army Headquarters Garrison, MA Ma’aji, a colonel with the Defence Space Administration, and S Bappah, a lieutenant colonel serving at the 525 Signal Regiment, among others.
Other high-ranking officers include Lieutenant Colonels AA Hayatu, P Dangnap, M Almakura, AA Jarma, and SM Gana from various battalions and special forces units.
The list also includes majors, captains, lieutenants, non-commissioned officers, and civilians, among them Umoru Zekeri, identified as a Julius Berger Villa Electrician; Ali Isah, a villa ambulance driver; and Stanley Kingley Amandi, an actor allegedly hired as a propagandist.
The full names of the suspects and their unit/role are attached below:
NAME UNIT/ADDRESS
1.MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) Army Headquarters Garrison
2.MA Ma’aji (Colonel) Defence Space Administration
3. S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) 525 Signal Regiment
4. AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
5. P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) 134 Special Force Battalion
6. M Almakura (Lt Colonel) 197 Special Force Battalion
7. AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) CO, 35 Battalion Katsina
8. SM Gana (Lt Colonel) 115 Task Force Battalion
9. AD Dauda (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
10. JM GANAKS (Maj) Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
11. AJ Ibrahim (Maj) Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans
12. MM Jiddah (Maj) 26 Battalion
13. MA Usman (Maj) 35 Battalion
14. D Yusuf (Maj) Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
15. J Iliyasu (Maj) 3 Division Garrison
16. A Mohammed (Maj) 63 Brigade Garrison
17. DB Abdullahi (Lt Cdr) Naval Base Abuja
18. SB Adamu (Sqn Ldr) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
19. NG Zuzu (Sqn Ldr) Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force Camp
20. G Binuga (Captain) 1 NMF Brigade
21. AA Yusuf (Captain) Nigerian Army of the School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
22. 1 Bello (Captain) 82 Division Garrison
23. SS Felix (Lt) 81 Division Provost Group
24. J Aminu (Lt) Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
25. Nasiru Ibrahim (WO) 82 Division Garrison
26. Sanda Usman (Sgt) 167 Special Force Battalion
27. Mohammed Zubairu (Sgt) 177 Guards Battalion
28. Momoh Audu (Cpl) 343 Artillery Regiment
29. Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
30. EO Victor (Navy Capt/Rtd) 3 Abraham Avenue off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
31. Umoru Zekeri Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
32. Y Nasiru (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
33. Sambo Danladi (LCpl) 82 Division Garrison
34. Abdul Abdullahi (SSgt) 82 Division Garrison
35. Ali Isah Villa Ambulance Driver
36. ML Mohammed (Capt) 18 Battalion
37. UI Yusuf (Wg Cdr) International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
38. IM Gana (Maj Gen Rtd) No 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
39. Stanley Kingley Amandi Propagandist
40. Goni Bukar
Multiple media reports
