A covert intelligence operation led by the Army Headquarters in collaboration with the State Security Service (SSS) reportedly foiled an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and neutralise key political leaders.
According to a report by Premium Times, senior government sources revealed that the plot began to unravel in late September 2025 when a serving military officer, who had direct knowledge of the plan, alerted the then Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede. The officer reportedly feared being implicated in treason if he failed to disclose the information.
Around the same period, the SSS independently obtained intelligence suggesting that some serving military personnel were planning actions aimed at destabilising the government and undermining Nigeria’s democratic order. An official familiar with the matter said the SSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, personally briefed Gen. Oluyede on the findings.
With intelligence from multiple sources aligning, both security chiefs agreed on immediate action. A discreet joint operation was launched, involving coordinated arrests nationwide to neutralise alleged masterminds and collaborators.
On September 30, 2025, while President Tinubu was on an official visit to Imo State—reportedly unaware of the plot—security agencies moved in to dismantle the suspected conspiracy, arresting several military and civilian suspects.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye, and the then Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, were briefed on the operation. Gen. Undiandeye was directed to detain the suspects at the Defence Intelligence Agency’s underground facility, according to a military source.
Following the arrests, the Presidency was formally informed. President Tinubu subsequently cancelled the October 1 Independence Day parade and approved the formation of a special investigative panel chaired by Gen. Undiandeye, which later led to additional arrests.
Suspect Escapes, Rearrested
One of the detained personnel reportedly escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi. Meanwhile, a retired officer identified as General Adamu and a former governor, Timipre Sylva—allegedly linked to financing the plot—were said to be still at large.
In the aftermath, President Tinubu retired Gen. Musa alongside the chiefs of the navy and air force. Maj. Gen. Oluyede was appointed Chief of Defence Staff and later promoted to General. Weeks later, Gen. Musa returned to government as Minister of Defence.
On October 4, Defence Headquarters said the arrested officers were being investigated for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations,” citing grievances related to career stagnation and failed promotion exams.
Despite sustained media reports, the military initially denied the existence of a coup plot, describing the investigation involving 16 officers as a routine internal disciplinary process. However, on January 26, the military publicly confirmed that some officers had indeed planned to overthrow the government and announced that those indicted would face a military judicial panel.
Defence Headquarters stated that those with cases to answer would be formally arraigned in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and relevant service regulations.
Earlier reports by Premium Times indicated that alleged targets included President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. Sources also said other individuals were on the list.
The plot reportedly included plans to detain senior military officers to neutralise them during the operation, with the intention of striking when all key political figures were present in the country.
One official said the plotters had insiders monitoring the movements of top officials, with the ultimate aim of installing a military government.