Military investigations into the alleged September 2025 coup plot have revealed that some of the suspects allegedly used WhatsApp and the privacy-focused messaging app Zangi to communicate.
According to documents reportedly compiled by military investigators and presented as part of the evidence in the ongoing trials, electronic communications are being examined as authorities seek to establish the alleged roles of individual suspects.
Zangi is less widely used in Nigeria than WhatsApp and promotes secure and private communication. The platform says its communications are protected by end-to-end encryption and that communication histories are stored on users’ devices rather than its servers.
One of the defendants, retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor, reportedly told investigators that Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji introduced him to Zangi because he considered it more secure for communication.
Victor allegedly said he downloaded the application to communicate with Ma’aji and Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah, an officer of the Nigerian Army Signals Corps whose name also featured in the investigation.
However, Victor denied involvement in any alleged coup plot.
Victor is standing trial alongside five other defendants at the Federal High Court in Abuja on 13 counts, including treason.
Investigators allege that Victor was tasked with approaching potential financiers and seeking their support for the purported plan. One of those he was allegedly asked to contact was Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Victor, who served as chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State when Wike was governor, reportedly told investigators that he did not contact Wike or the other individuals he was allegedly instructed to approach.
He also maintained that he did not take the purported coup discussions seriously, although he reportedly expressed regret over failing to alert authorities.
Investigation documents reportedly contain numerous printouts of electronic messages allegedly exchanged between some of the suspects. The records form part of a larger body of evidence gathered following the discovery of the alleged conspiracy in September 2025.
Despite the use of encrypted messaging platforms, investigators may still obtain relevant information from devices and other sources through applicable legal procedures. Such investigations can include examining stored messages, contacts, files and other electronic records.
Authorities are also examining other forms of evidence, including financial transactions, meetings, movements and witness statements.
Meanwhile, several military personnel are facing proceedings before a General Court Martial, while Victor and other defendants are being prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants have denied wrongdoing and challenged the admissibility of statements attributed to them, alleging that the statements were obtained without following required legal safeguards.
The prosecution has opposed the objections, arguing that the statements were lawfully obtained and should be admitted as evidence.