Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji has told military investigators that an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration was driven by concerns over insecurity, corruption, economic hardship and poor welfare for military personnel.

Ma’aji, who is among serving military officers facing court-martial proceedings over the alleged plot, made the claims in a statement to investigators following his arrest in September 2025.

According to the statement, discussions about military intervention began in 2023, towards the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Ma’aji said the alleged movement was conceived by officers who believed the country was deteriorating and that military authorities needed to take action.

He said the group was initially unable to proceed because of inadequate funding, logistics and manpower, adding that he personally financed much of its activities through the sale of some of his properties.

“Most of the money spent were my personal resources generated through sales of my personal property coupled with sacrifice and contributions from some members,” he stated.

Ma’aji said he sold three houses in Kaduna State and a student hostel at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to raise funds for activities connected with the group.

He also claimed that some officers contributed money, including one Army major who allegedly gave N1 million, while another officer reportedly provided foreign currency on several occasions.

Failed promotion revived alleged plot

The colonel said the alleged movement was revived after he failed for a second time to secure promotion to the rank of brigadier general in 2024.

According to him, some officers subsequently urged him to revive the plan, with Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah allegedly travelling from Ibadan to Abuja to persuade him to continue.

Ma’aji, however, insisted that his failed promotion was not the main reason for the alleged conspiracy.

He cited dissatisfaction with fuel subsidy removal, naira reforms, taxation, electricity tariffs, corruption, insecurity and the handling of protests as broader reasons for the group’s grievances.

He also said the alleged conspirators believed that young Nigerians were increasingly frustrated by unemployment and economic hardship.

Meetings were subsequently held at different locations in Abuja, including Brookville Hotel and Greenland Hotel in Lokogoma, according to the statement.

Ma’aji said officers were still being mobilised when security agencies disrupted the alleged plan and that there was no agreed date for the proposed action.

He mentioned September 27, October 1 and a date about a month later as possible dates that were considered, but said no specific “D-Day” was ultimately agreed.

Alleged plan to arrest service chiefs

Ma’aji told investigators that the proposed operation was intended to take place at night and involved placing the service chiefs under arrest.

He said some individuals were expected to provide personnel, vehicles, weapons and other resources, but maintained that the team had not been fully assembled.

He also said there were discussions about mobilising personnel from the Civilian Joint Task Force in the North-East, although plans to move them to Abuja had not been finalised.

Ma’aji said one participant had also mentioned the possibility of using Boko Haram technicians to produce improvised explosive devices, but claimed he rejected the idea as unnecessary.

He further stated that no action was eventually taken and that no bullet was fired.

Alleged involvement of former governor

In his statement, Ma’aji claimed that former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva contributed about N400 million to the alleged movement.

He said Sylva only became involved towards the later stages of the alleged plan and initially resisted discussions about it before subsequently asking for more information.

Sylva has denied involvement in any plan to overthrow the government.

Ma’aji also named several serving and retired military personnel whom he said were aware of, or involved to varying degrees in, discussions surrounding the alleged movement, while stating that some other officers mentioned in connection with the case were not involved.

Arrest and court proceedings

Ma’aji was arrested on September 29, 2025, shortly before the Federal Government cancelled the October 1 Independence Day parade.

He was subsequently interrogated between October 18, 2025, and February 19, 2026, according to records relating to the investigation.

The Defence Headquarters initially described the detention of some officers as part of an internal process aimed at maintaining discipline and professionalism before later acknowledging an alleged plot and confirming that indicted officers would face military judicial proceedings.

Several serving officers, including Ma’aji, are currently facing court-martial proceedings.

Separately, six retired military personnel and civilians are being prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged involvement in the plot.

Those defendants include retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani.

They have pleaded not guilty.

The admissibility of some statements obtained during the investigation has also become contentious, with some defendants alleging that their statements were not made voluntarily.

The prosecution has disputed the allegations, prompting the court to order a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were obtained voluntarily.

Ma’aji seeks pardon

In the statement, Ma’aji appealed to the authorities to address what he described as the underlying problems that contributed to the alleged plot.

He called for improved remuneration and welfare for members of the Armed Forces, better healthcare, housing and pension arrangements, and stronger channels through which military personnel can communicate their grievances to senior commanders.

He also criticised what he described as godfatherism in military promotions, poor treatment of wounded soldiers and inadequate support for retired personnel.

Ma’aji further called for greater attention to corruption, education, budget implementation and the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Towards the end of his statement, he appealed for leniency, describing the alleged action as a mistake and insisting that no one was harmed.

He said his experience during detention had made him recognise that there were alternative ways of expressing concerns and pledged not to contemplate a similar course of action if released.

The allegations contained in the statement remain subject to judicial determination, and the accused persons have denied wrongdoing.