Fresh details have emerged about the ongoing investigation into the alleged attempted coup against the Federal Government, as military intelligence units reportedly collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to trace financial transactions linked to those accused of funding the plot.
According to multiple security insiders, the agencies are conducting a forensic audit of the bank accounts of both military personnel and civilians implicated in the matter. The audit reportedly focuses on deposits, withdrawals, and fund transfers to detect unusual patterns, identify the true owners of suspicious accounts, and determine how the funds were sourced and deployed.
N45bn Transfer Linked to Coup Funding
Investigators are said to be examining the alleged transfer of ₦45 billion from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to individuals suspected of bankrolling the coup plot. The revelation has heightened public concern over the extent of corruption and complicity that may have enabled the alleged scheme.
A security officer who spoke to Akahi News on condition of anonymity described the move to freeze the suspects’ bank accounts as “a standard procedure” during such sensitive investigations.
The EFCC and NFIU, meanwhile, are said to be tracing the network of associates and business partners of the key suspects, expanding the probe beyond the military ranks.
This development comes just days after Akahi News reported on a similar government effort to promote transparency and economic recovery through industrial projects such as the Borno Plastic Factory launched by Governor Babagana Zulum — a clear contrast to the growing financial scandals shaking national institutions.
16 Officers in Custody, Including Senior Commanders
According to reports, sixteen Nigerian military officers are currently detained in connection with the alleged plot. They include a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant. Others comprise a naval lieutenant commander and a squadron leader from the Nigerian Air Force.
Sources identified the alleged ringleader as Brig. Gen. Musa Abubakar Sadiq, alongside several others: Col. M.A. Ma’aji, 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, Maj. I. Dauda, Capt. Ibrahim Bello, Capt. A.A. Yusuf, Lt. S.S. Felix, Lt. Commander D.B. Abdullahi, and Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu.
Many of the officers reportedly belong to the Infantry Corps, the Army’s combat backbone, while others come from the Signals and Ordnance Corps, which manage communications and logistics, respectively.
Sylva’s Home Raided as Investigation Expands
In a related twist, security operatives raided the Abuja home of former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, arresting his younger brother, Paga, and driver. Sylva’s spokesperson, Chief Julius Bokoru, confirmed the incident but denied any involvement by his principal, describing the allegations as “a politically motivated frame-up.”
The former minister, a known APC stalwart, was reportedly out of the country at the time of the raid.
As the probe deepens, military sources told Akahi News that investigators are particularly focused on the financial trail, which they believe holds the key to exposing the extent of coordination and funding behind the alleged coup.
The involvement of the EFCC and NFIU, one source noted, is “discreet but decisive,” with intelligence analysts working round the clock to compile transaction histories that could reveal hidden sponsors and offshore connections.
Plot to Kill NSA Allegedly Uncovered
Meanwhile, new reports suggest that one of the suspects — Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Service No. NAF/3481) from Jigawa State — was allegedly detailed to assassinate the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. Adamu was reportedly posted to the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), a unit under the Office of the NSA, just weeks before the plot was uncovered.
Sources allege that his deployment replaced a specific officer initially requested by Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, Coordinator of the NCTC — a substitution now fuelling suspicion that the coup network may have penetrated military leadership structures.
The development has further alarmed security analysts, particularly amid heightened political tension and worsening economic hardship across the country.
Broader National Context
Observers believe the situation underscores Nigeria’s growing internal instability, where military discontent, economic strain, and political rivalry intersect. Some analysts warn that such crises, if unchecked, could derail development programmes and further weaken public trust in national institutions.
This warning comes at a time when Akahi News has also documented other pressing national issues, such as the abduction of the Kebbi Deputy Speaker Samaila Bagudu after Friday prayers and the controversial ₦2.6bn expenditure on “repentant” Boko Haram members — both reflecting persistent gaps in Nigeria’s security and governance systems.
In the political sphere, developments such as Senator Jarigbe’s consultations ahead of his possible defection to the APC and broader conversations about democracy and leadership have added further layers to the unfolding national discourse.
EFCC, NFIU Maintain Silence
As of press time, neither EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale nor NFIU’s Aishatu Bantam had responded to requests for comment. Officials within the two agencies, however, confirmed that investigations were ongoing and that findings would be shared with military authorities once completed.
Security analysts suggest that the final report could determine whether the alleged plot was a genuine attempt to overthrow the government or part of a broader internal purge within the armed forces.
For everyday Nigerians, the revelations serve as a reminder to remain vigilant and to exercise discernment — not just politically, but financially. As Akahi News previously advised in How to Spot Fake Investment Platforms That Promise to Double Your Money, unchecked greed and manipulation can often lead to catastrophic losses — whether in business or governance.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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