Military investigators looking into an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are reportedly questioning a Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South South region. 2 intelligence officers recently confirmed that the MD was apprehended for allegedly transferring a large sum of money to a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is suspected to be one of the financiers of the alleged plot to forcefully kick President Tinubu out of office.
The investigators believe the money was sent to sponsor the coup, hence the grilling the MD has been subjected to thus far.
“The MD (name withheld) transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the fund transfer was connected to the coup.
He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for,” an officer said to PUNCH.
Recall that former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva’s Abuja house was raided by investigators on Saturday, with military operatives going as far as arresting his younger brother, Paga, who is his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, and his driver.
Sylva was not in Nigeria when the raid took place, and according to a reliable source, he decided against returning to the country when he heard that the coup leaders had been arrested.
“Sylva’s Abuja home was raided on Saturday, but he wasn’t around.
His younger brother, Paga, who is the SA, Domestic, and the driver, were arrested. Investigators believe Sylva allegedly funded the coup plot.
Sylva was abroad and was preparing to leave for Nigeria when he got wind of the arrest of the coup leaders. So, he stayed back,” the source said.
All efforts to reach the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, for comments proved abortive.
Reacting to the news of 16 officers being detained amid the alleged coup attack, Brig-Gen Tukur noted that the soldiers were punished for indiscipline and breaching military rules.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations,” the statement partly read.
However, SaharaReporters disagreed by claiming that the detained officers – ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General – were in detention for allegedly plotting to overthrow Tinubu’s government.
The online platform concluded by saying that the soldiers were arrested at their different homes across Nigeria.
“The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in the statement released by the spokesperson.
They have started holding secret meetings on how to overthrow the President and other top government officials,” SaharaReporters wrote, quoting an unnamed official.
