A covert intelligence operation jointly coordinated by Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS) helped thwart an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration and assassinate key political figures, PREMIUM TIMES has reported.
According to multiple senior government sources, the plot began to unravel in late September 2025 after a serving military officer with direct knowledge of the scheme contacted the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede. The officer reportedly raised the alarm out of fear that he could be implicated if the plan was exposed without his disclosure.
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Around the same period, the SSS independently gathered intelligence suggesting that some serving army officers were plotting to destabilise the government and undermine Nigeria’s democracy. Sources said the SSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, personally briefed Oluyede on the findings.
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With intelligence converging from multiple channels, both security chiefs agreed to act swiftly. A discreet, nationwide joint operation was launched, with coordinated arrests planned across several states to neutralise the alleged masterminds and collaborators.
On September 30, 2025, as President Tinubu travelled to Imo State for an official engagement — reportedly unaware of the alleged plot — the operation was activated. Security forces arrested key suspects, including military officers and civilians believed to be involved.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Emmanuel Undiandeye, and the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, were subsequently briefed. Undiandeye was directed to detain the suspects at an underground facility operated by the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Following the initial arrests, President Tinubu was formally briefed on the foiled plot. Sources said the President was visibly shaken and immediately ordered the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade. He also approved the formation of a special investigative panel, led by Undiandeye, which later uncovered additional suspects.
One of the detained soldiers reportedly escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi State. Meanwhile, a retired officer identified as General Adamu and a former governor, Timipre Sylva, accused of financing the alleged plot, were said to be at large at the time.
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In the aftermath, President Tinubu relieved General Musa and the service chiefs of the Navy and Air Force of their duties. Oluyede was appointed Chief of Defence Staff and promoted to the rank of General. Weeks later, Musa returned to government as Minister of Defence.
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Initially, the Defence Headquarters downplayed the arrests, stating in an October 4 release that the officers were being investigated for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” citing issues such as career stagnation and failed promotion exams.
Despite detailed reports by PREMIUM TIMES and other outlets, the military repeatedly denied the existence of a coup plot. However, on January 26, it publicly acknowledged for the first time that some officers had indeed planned to illegally overthrow the Tinubu administration.
The Defence Headquarters said the investigation was comprehensive and conducted in line with established procedures, adding that those indicted would be arraigned before appropriate military judicial panels.
“The findings revealed a number of officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” the military said, describing the conduct as inconsistent with the ethics and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Alleged Targets of the Plot
Earlier reports cited sources as saying top political leaders were allegedly marked for assassination, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
Sources also claimed the conspirators planned to detain — but not kill — senior military officers, including the service chiefs, and relied on informants within and around the Presidential Villa to monitor movements.
“The plan was to eliminate them simultaneously and install a military government,” a source alleged.
The revelations have continued to spark intense debate about national security, intelligence coordination and civil–military relations in Nigeria.
[PREMIUM TIMES]
