Military Grills FG Officials, Raids Ex-Gov Sylva’s Home Over Alleged Coup Plot

Military investigators are questioning a Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South-South over his alleged role in a suspected plan to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to intelligence sources, the official was arrested after reportedly transferring a large sum of money to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who has been linked to the alleged financing of the plot. The investigators are said to be tracing the flow of funds to determine whether it was connected to the planned coup.

The development comes as Sylva’s residence in Abuja was reportedly raided by security operatives over the weekend. During the operation, military personnel allegedly arrested his younger brother, Paga Sylva, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, along with his driver.

The former Bayelsa State governor was said to be out of the country when the search took place. Sources claim that he had planned to return to Nigeria but changed his mind upon learning that several suspected coup collaborators had already been detained.

Efforts to reach Defence spokespersons Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye and Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau for confirmation were unsuccessful as calls to their phones went unanswered.

Earlier in October, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that 16 military officers were being held for breaching service rules and acts of indiscipline. While the statement described it as an internal disciplinary issue, other reports suggested the arrests were connected to a plot to overthrow the government.

The detained officers, ranging from the ranks of Captain to Brigadier General, were said to have been picked up by the Defence Intelligence Agency from different parts of the country. The alleged conspiracy reportedly involved secret meetings aimed at seizing power from the current administration.

Security agencies have continued investigations into both the financial and operational aspects of the alleged plot, as the federal government maintains close surveillance over individuals linked to the case.