Recent developments have heightened unease in two Northern States following alarming claims of a potential coup plot.
Authorities are scrambling to investigate these serious allegations as fresh details surface, revealing a web of uncertainty and anxiety among residents.
Sources who spoke to Daily Trust hinted that there was suspicion that the former governor had financed the alleged plot, which was reportedly scheduled for October 25.
At least two online news platforms, Sahara Reporters and Premium Times, had reported last weekend that the 16 officers, whom the Defence Headquarters claimed were arrested for certain unprofessional conduct, were being investigated over an alleged plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Some of the detainees, including a Brigadier-General, a Colonel and others below that rank were reported to be officers attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
One of our sources disclosed that the report of the planned coup attempt was true.
“Yes, that is true. There are civilian accomplices, including a former governor, but the extent of their involvement is being investigated. For now, there are 16 officers involved and in custody,” he stated.
The source added that the “former civilian governor being investigated over the matter is also a former operative in the oil and gas sector, but his involvement has not been confirmed.”
One of the sources said the investigators were trying to establish the nature of the former governor’s recent interactions with the detained officers.
He said the former governor might be invited for interrogation should credible links between him and the detained officers be established.
It has been reported that the investigation is being coordinated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), with representation from the three services of the Armed Forces.
“Members of the probe panel are very senior officers, headed by a major general. The comprehensive list of officers being investigated is highly guarded,” he said.
Our sources also stated that the Brigadier-General being referred to is from Niger State.
“The Colonel from Nasarawa State that is being investigated is also from a very influential family. His father is a traditional ruler in Nasarawa State and a brother of former Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura,” the source added.
Findings in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, revealed that members of the Al-Makura family are worried.
“He is my uncle,” a family member told Daily Trust.
“The entire family is in distress. I am personally worried…The wife of the officer is worried.
“Our prayer is may they not be found guilty of the allegation,” the family member said.
Daily Trust further gathered that more officers have been picked for questioning over their remote or direct connection with the alleged coup plan.
“Aside from the former governor, there are other influential politicians from both north and southern parts of the country that are being watched,” said another source.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs.
This is “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture,” a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, read Friday.
The statement is titled ‘Tinubu changes service chiefs.’
According to Dare, the President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
“The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement further read.
Tinubu charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
All appointments take immediate effect.
On June 19, 2023, that Bola Tinubu approved the immediate retirement of all the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller-General of Customs.
At that time, the President said the move was part of his plan to reposition Nigeria’s security leadership and strengthen the national security architecture.
The 2023 reshuffle came amid persistent security threats in Nigeria, including insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest and secessionist unrest in parts of the Southeast.
In a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday, the military had denied a news report by Sahara Reporters, linking the detention of 16 military officers to a failed coup.
The online newspaper had linked the alleged coup to the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day by the Federal Government.
Dismissing the report in an official statement on Saturday, Gusau condemned the report, saying it was “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.”
According to him, the October 1 anniversary parade cancellation was “purely administrative.”
He explained that the cancellation was meant to enable the President to attend a bilateral meeting abroad and enable troops to sustain ongoing operations against insurgency and banditry.
