Two persons arrested during the military raid on the Abuja residence of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, remain in custody more than a week after the incident.
Security operatives reportedly stormed Sylva’s Abuja residence on Saturday, October 25, 2025, arresting his younger brother, identified as Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, and his driver.
Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was said to be outside the country at the time of the operation.
Sources told Punch that the former minister had been scheduled to return to Nigeria but cancelled his trip after learning about the arrest of alleged coup plotters by security agencies.
Speaking with Punch on Sunday, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, confirmed that the two men were still being detained.
“Not that I know of. As of last night (Saturday), they had not been released. I would have known if they were released,” he said.
Bokoru added that lawyers had taken up the matter, stressing that no incriminating evidence was found during the raid.
“I believe some lawyers are on the matter already,” he stated.
Sylva Denies Coup Allegations
Bokoru had earlier issued a statement confirming the military raid but denied Sylva’s involvement in any alleged coup plot.
He described the operation as a “needless show of force”, alleging that security operatives damaged property at the residence.
Bokoru had said in the earlier statement, “During the said operation, considerable damage was inflicted upon the property.
“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. The officers involved did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions.”
The aide also suggested that political enemies were behind the move, accusing unnamed figures of spreading falsehoods to tarnish Sylva’s reputation.
“Some politicians have resorted to mischief because they perceive the former Bayelsa State governor as a major threat and obstacle to their ambitions,” he added.
Military Yet To Comment On Arrests
While the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, had earlier said that 16 officers were detained for breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline, he did not link Sylva or his aides to the alleged coup plot.
However, SaharaReporters, claimed that the detained officers, whose ranks allegedly range from Captain to Brigadier-General, were being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
The report also alleged that the officers were arrested at various locations across the country.
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