Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji has told military investigators that he was involved in an alleged plan to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, saying worsening insecurity, corruption, economic hardship and poor governance drove the decision.
Ma’aji, who was arrested in September 2025 during investigations into an alleged coup plot, said the objective was to “save” Nigeria from what he described as further decline.
His account is contained in interrogation statements published by Premium Times from thousands of pages of documents relating to the investigation. The documents reportedly include bank records, financial transactions, hotel receipts, electronic communications and statements from other individuals questioned by military investigators.
However, the allegations contained in the documents have not been established as facts. Ma’aji and other defendants have denied wrongdoing, while courts are still considering the admissibility of some interrogation statements and determining the guilt or innocence of those facing trial.
According to Ma’aji, the idea of military intervention began towards the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2023, when he said insecurity, kidnapping, banditry and corruption had reached alarming levels.
He told investigators that he expected senior military officers to intervene but was disappointed by what he described as inaction within the military hierarchy.
“It was expected that the higher hierarchy of the military could have acted to save the situation. Unfortunately, there was no action from the top.”
Ma’aji said he subsequently began identifying military officers who shared his concerns and could potentially participate in the movement.
He described those allegedly involved as officers motivated by patriotism and a desire for “positive change.”
According to him, the initial plan was eventually abandoned because the group lacked sufficient funding, logistics and manpower.
He claimed to have personally financed much of the activity, including selling three houses in Kaduna State and a students’ hostel at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Ma’aji said the alleged movement was revived in 2024 after he failed for a second time to secure promotion to the rank of brigadier general.
He identified Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah as one of the officers who allegedly encouraged him to revive the plan.
The colonel said meetings were subsequently held at different locations in Abuja, including Brookville Hotel and Greenland Hotel in Lokogoma.
However, he rejected the suggestion that his failed promotion was the primary motivation for the alleged coup plot.
Instead, he blamed what he described as worsening economic and security conditions under the Tinubu administration.
Among the issues he cited were fuel subsidy removal, the floating of the naira, taxation, electricity tariff increases, corruption and insecurity.
Ma’aji also criticised the government’s handling of youth protests and the condition of military personnel and veterans.
He said many Nigerian youths were frustrated by unemployment, lack of economic opportunities and uncertainty about their future.
The colonel also claimed that soldiers wounded during military operations had been abandoned without adequate support.
He insisted that his actions were not driven by personal ambition.
“This has nothing to do with any ambition or personal goals. It is purely out of the desire for a prosperous country that works for everyone.”
Ma’aji further told investigators that discussions allegedly took place over recruitment, funding and logistics.
He said the proposed operation included the arrest of senior military officers and was expected to take place at night.
However, he maintained that preparations had not been completed and that no specific date had been fixed for the alleged operation.
“There was no D-Day. We were waiting for the availability of resources and more officers and soldiers.”
He said the alleged movement was still being developed when security agencies arrested him and other suspected participants in September 2025.
Sylva Denies Alleged N400m Funding
Ma’aji also alleged that former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva provided about N400 million to support the movement.
Sylva has vehemently denied the allegation, saying he had “no involvement whatsoever” in planning or providing logistics for any coup plot.
Sylva has not been charged with plotting the alleged coup, although several people associated with him have faced legal proceedings linked to the wider investigation, while properties linked to him have been placed under interim forfeiture orders.
Ma’aji and other serving military officers accused in the case are facing proceedings before a General Court Martial.
Separately, six people, including retired military officers and civilians, are facing charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants have challenged the admissibility of some statements and video recordings obtained during interrogation, arguing that they were not voluntarily made or were improperly obtained.
The prosecution has rejected the claims and maintained that due process was followed.
A trial-within-trial has consequently been ordered to determine whether some of the disputed statements were voluntarily made.
The Defence Headquarters initially described the arrests as part of an ongoing investigation aimed at maintaining discipline and professionalism within the military.
It later acknowledged that a plot to overthrow the government had been uncovered and said indicted officers would face military judicial proceedings.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of serving and retired military officers, a police officer and civilians accused of involvement in various aspects of the alleged conspiracy.
The allegations contained in Ma’aji’s statement, as well as claims made by other suspects and investigators, remain subject to judicial determination. The courts will ultimately determine the admissibility of the disputed evidence and the guilt or innocence of the accused persons.
