Charms, Cash: How Army Colonel Coordinated Foiled Fatal Coup Against Tinubu – Report

An interim investigation report into the alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has revealed that a clandestine network of military officers, coordinated by an Army Colonel (name withheld), planned the takeover, with funding, recruitment and operational planning traced directly to him.

The report, sighted by The PUNCH on Tuesday, indicated that the officer mobilised like-minded personnel across the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, assigning them to covertly survey critical national installations, including the Presidential Villa, major military barracks and international airports.

According to investigators, the officer’s repeated failure in promotion examinations reportedly fuelled his disaffection, which he exploited to recruit others nursing similar grievances.

The report said the plot went beyond casual dissent and entered early operational planning, marked by reconnaissance of strategic locations such as the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and international airports in Abuja and Lagos.

How plot was uncovered

The Defence Headquarters had, in October 2025, announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.

Shortly after, SaharaReporters reported that the officers—ranging from Captain to Brigadier-General—were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency over alleged secret meetings to topple the government, linking the development to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.

At the time, the then Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau (retd.), dismissed the report as speculative, describing the matter as a purely internal disciplinary issue.

However, on Monday, the new Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed that investigations had been concluded and the report forwarded to the appropriate superior authority.

Charms, documents, funding trail

In the interim report, the Colonel was identified as the alleged coordinator of the conspiracy.

Investigators said a search of his vehicle uncovered charms and anti-government materials, while a raid on his residence in Lokogoma, Apo, Abuja, yielded what they described as “very sensitive documents.”

These included written allocations of roles to key actors and notes identifying how “key national dignitaries” were to be handled during the operation.

“Multiple testimonies implicate the Colonel as the coordinator of the conspiracy. He has been identified as the source of funding, recruitment and motivation,” the report stated.

Financial inducements ranging between ₦2m and ₦5m were allegedly paid to some principal actors for logistics and mobilisation, with investigators tracing the funds to the Colonel and at least one major financier now under investigation.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit is analysing the financial trail, the report said.

One of the suspects, Lt.-Col. S. Bappah, was identified as a critical cooperating witness.

Investigators said his testimony detailed funding flows, recruitment strategies and communication channels, strengthening the case against the alleged network.

Encrypted messaging platforms, including WhatsApp and Zangi, were allegedly used to coordinate activities, while discreet vehicle repairs and fund movements pointed to early-stage logistical preparations.

Targets, timeline, suspects

The foiled plot was allegedly planned for October 25, 2025, with investigators stating that it was designed to be fatal.

According to the report, the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, service chiefs and other top government officials were marked for elimination.

The officers named as suspects include:

Brig.-Gen. M.A. Sadiq; Col M.A. Maaji; Lt.-Col. S. Bappah; Lt.-Col. A.A. Hayatu; Lt.-Col. P. Dangnap; Lt.-Col. M. Almakura; Maj. A.J. Ibrahim; Maj. M.M. Jiddah; Maj. M.A. Usman; Maj. D. Yusuf; Capt. I. Bello; Capt. A.A. Yusuf; Lt. S.S. Felix; Lt.-Cmdr. D.B. Abdullahi; Sqn. Ldr. S.B. Adamu; and Maj. I. Dauda.

Maj. J.M. Ganaks and Capt. G. Binuga were said to be awaiting interrogation.

Most of the suspects are of northern extraction, except Capt. Yusuf, who hails from Osun State.

Probe widens

Security sources said the investigation had expanded beyond serving officers to include civilian contacts, financiers and political associates.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the plotters infiltrated the Presidential Villa and allegedly compromised staff of construction firm Julius Berger to obtain security information.

Sources confirmed that the name of a former minister surfaced during intelligence reviews, though no formal charges or arrest warrants have been issued.

“The investigation is not limited to uniforms alone,” a source said. “We are examining communication trails, financial flows and political interfaces.”

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that officers indicted will be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels in line with the Armed Forces Act.

Investigators warned that the cross-service nature of the network, the involvement of senior officers and the identification of strategic installations pointed to deliberate coup-style planning.

“The threat posed was clear and immediate,” the report concluded, warning that failure to act could have had grave implications for national stability.