The Digest:
Military investigators have identified Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji as the principal architect and financier of the foiled coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's administration. The infantry officer, arrested in late September 2025, is alleged to have coordinated planning, logistics, and funded co-plotters. Investigative scrutiny has also extended to his long-standing associate, former Bayelsa State Governor Timi Sylva, whose Abuja residence was searched. Colonel Ma’aji, described as unrepentant during detention, served as Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion in Ondo State before his arrest.
Key Points:
- The identification of a senior officer as the plot's core undermines public confidence in military discipline and loyalty at the highest levels.
- It triggers a rigorous, high-stakes judicial process within the military justice system, with severe consequences for all implicated personnel.
- Colonel Ma’aji faces the most severe allegations and potential punishment, while the investigation risks exposing wider networks within and outside the military.
- The case represents a critical test for the military's internal accountability mechanisms and its ability to transparently manage a grave breach of conduct.
- The timing, following a period of official hesitation and leadership changes, forces a public reckoning with the plot's seriousness as trials proceed.
Sources: PREMIUM TIMES, military sources
