Operatives from the Defence Intelligence Agency, working with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and the EFCC, say they traced large transfers meant to bankroll an alleged aborted coup to accounts linked to former Bayelsa governor Timipre Sylva.
Key highlights:
- A coordinated financial probe by DIA, NFIU and EFCC reportedly tied millions to accounts linked to Sylva.
- Soldiers carried out a raid at Sylva’s Abuja residence amid the inquiry, according to security sources.
- Sylva’s media team denies any role and says the reports are politically motivated.
- Several serving officers have reportedly given confessional statements in the ongoing investigation.
Security sources say the probe began after detained officers implicated a financier in the plot. Intelligence teams then worked with financial crime units to follow the money trail, which intelligence officers say led to transactions linked with the former petroleum minister. The findings were presented to authorities as part of a broader inquiry.
According to multiple reports, the arrested officers include a brigadier general and several colonels and lieutenant colonels. Those detained have reportedly given detailed statements about recruitment and funding, and investigators say the plot would have relied on technology and drones rather than large troop movements.
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In a formal statement, Sylva’s media aide denied any involvement in planning or funding a coup and attributed the stories to political opponents seeking to damage his reputation ahead of future elections. The statement describes Sylva as a committed supporter of the administration and says he recently mobilised Bayelsa APC structures in support of President Tinubu.
Sources say a final investigation dossier will be submitted to the presidency and that the military may publicly identify officers involved in preparation for court martial proceedings. Security agencies are expected to disclose more details as investigations proceed.
Despite several media reports, the Defence Headquarters has described some of the coup rumours as unsubstantiated.
