Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have reportedly raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, over alleged links to a coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
According to multiple security sources, the operation was carried out by a special military team in the early hours of Tuesday at Sylva’s Maitama residence. The raid was said to have followed intelligence reports linking the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to a series of secret meetings allegedly held with some detained military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
A senior security source familiar with the development disclosed that the operation also extended to Sylva’s country home in Bayelsa State, where his brother, identified as Paga, was arrested.
“The Nigerian Army special team ransacked the home of Timipre Sylva, who is believed to have fled Nigeria. He is the South-South former governor repeatedly mentioned in the investigation. His brother, Paga, was picked up during the raid,” the source said.
Growing tension within the military
The operation comes amid rising anxiety within the Nigerian Armed Forces following reports that at least 16 senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force have been detained by the DIA in connection with the alleged coup plot.
Sources said the officers have been held incommunicado for more than three weeks at an undisclosed facility in Abuja.
“It’s been 18 days since those 16 officers were taken. At first, we thought our brother had been kidnapped until a friend in the NSA’s office confirmed what happened,” a family member, who asked not to be named, told reporters.
Political underpinnings
There has been speculation about discontent among some high-ranking politicians loyal to former President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged marginalization by the Bola Tinubu administration in recent federal appointments.
Sylva, a close ally of the late former president, served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources between 2019 and 2023. He was also the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the November 2023 Bayelsa State election, but lost to Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As of Tuesday night, neither the Nigerian Army, the Defence Headquarters, nor Sylva had issued an official statement on the development.
Military reaffirms loyalty to Tinubu
Amid public concern over reports of a foiled coup attempt—particularly following the cancellation of events marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary—the military reaffirmed its loyalty to the government and commitment to democracy.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) described the coup reports as “false, malicious, and intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among citizens.”
The statement explained that the Independence Day parade was canceled to allow President Tinubu attend a strategic bilateral meeting abroad, and to enable troops to sustain operations against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.
“The ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” the DHQ said, reaffirming that the Armed Forces “remain firmly loyal to the Constitution and the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
Opposition demands clarity
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to provide clear information about the alleged coup plot and the ongoing detention of military officers.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed concern over the government’s silence.
“The ADC takes any threat to Nigeria’s democratic order with the utmost seriousness,” the statement read. “It is troubling that the government has not made a categorical statement on this matter, despite the military’s repeated denials. By remaining silent, the government has allowed the coup story to fester unnecessarily.”
The party also challenged President Tinubu to “come clean” on the recent reshuffling of the service chiefs, urging full transparency to dispel public suspicion.
