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‎Soldiers from the Nigerian Army have reportedly stormed the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, over an alleged link to a coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

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‎According to multiple security sources, the operation was carried out by a special military team in the early hours of Tuesday at Sylva’s residence in Maitama.
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‎It was gathered that the raid followed intelligence reports linking the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to a series of secret meetings allegedly held with some of the detained military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

‎‎A top security source familiar with the development disclosed that the operation also extended to Sylva’s Bayelsa home, where his brother, identified as one Paga, was arrested.
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‎“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 frequently mentioned in the case. His brother, Paga, was picked up during the raid,” the source revealed.

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‎The raid came amid mounting concerns within the Nigerian Armed Forces following revelations that at least 16 senior military officers from the army, navy, and air force had been detained by the DIA in connection with the alleged coup plot.
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‎The officers were reported to have been held incommunicado for over three weeks in an undisclosed facility in Abuja.

‎“It’s been 18 days since those 16 officers were detained in an undisclosed location. At first, we thought our brother was kidnapped before finding out what transpired from his friend, who works in the NSA office,” a family member, who chose to remain anonymous, said.

Discontent

There had been speculation over discontent in the camp of high-ranking politicians loyal to former President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged discrimination by the President Bola Tinubu administration in recent major appointments.

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‎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 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 2023 Bayelsa State poll, but lost to Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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‎The Nigerian Army, Defence Headquarters and Sylva had yet to make official comments on the matter as of Tuesday night.

Army Restates Loyalty

Amid concerns over reports of a failed coup attempt on President Tinubu, following the cancellation of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, the military reaffirmed its commitment to democracy.

In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, on Saturday in Abuja, the Armed Forces of Nigeria categorically stated that the claims made by a publication were entirely false, malicious, and intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace.

It explained that the decision to cancel the 65th Independence Anniversary parade was made to allow President Bola Tinubu to attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country, and to enable members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to sustain momentum in the ongoing fight against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry.

The DHQ further reassured Nigerians that the ongoing investigation involving the 16 officers was a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the military ranks.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain firmly loyal to the Constitution and the Federal Government under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the statement partly added.

Opposition Kicks

However, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on the Federal Government to clarify the true nature of an alleged coup plot involving arrested military officers.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said that it takes any threat to Nigeria’s democratic order with the utmost seriousness.

“The ADC is particularly concerned that the federal government has not deemed it fit to make a categorical statement on this very serious matter, especially after the military authorities repeatedly denied that there was such a threat to the government.

“By keeping quiet, the government has deliberately allowed the coup story to fester for whatever reason,” it added.

The ADC also challenged the President to tell the masses the real reason behind the reshuffle of the service chiefs.