Military investigators probing the alleged attempted coup are intensifying efforts to trace financial transactions linked to individuals accused of funding the plot, working closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.
According to multiple security sources, both agencies are conducting a detailed forensic review of bank accounts belonging to the detained soldiers and civilians suspected of involvement in the conspiracy to topple the Federal Government.
The probe, it was gathered, includes examining deposits, withdrawals, and transfers for irregular patterns; identifying fund sources; and uncovering beneficial ownership of accounts. Investigators have also extended their scrutiny to associates and business partners of the prime suspects.
This development follows revelations of an alleged N45 billion transfer from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to individuals implicated in the plot.
Sixteen Nigerian Army officers were arrested in connection with the alleged coup plan, which coincided with the Federal Government’s cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, however, dismissed reports linking the arrests to a coup attempt.
Meanwhile, operatives raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva, taking away his younger brother, Paga, and a driver. Sylva, a former minister and All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwart, was said to be outside Nigeria when the operation occurred.
His spokesman, Chief Julius Bokoru, confirmed the raid, emphasizing that Sylva and his wife were abroad at the time and alleging that political enemies were attempting to implicate him.
Security insiders confirmed that the EFCC and NFIU are providing critical financial intelligence to trace the alleged money trail behind the plot.
“This is discreet intelligence work. Until the entire exercise is concluded, we cannot provide a list of all those involved, how much was deployed for the plot or the amount recovered. The investigators are relying on the EFCC and NFIU for this,” one security source disclosed.
The list of alleged conspirators includes senior and mid-level officers: a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, a lieutenant, a naval lieutenant commander, and an air force squadron leader.
Twelve of the fourteen army officers belong to the Infantry Corps, while others are drawn from the Signals and Ordnance Corps.
It was learned that they were led by Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq. Others include Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah, Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Hayatu, Lieutenant Colonel P. Dangnap, Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura, Major A.J. Ibrahim, Major M.M. Jiddah, Major M.A. Usman, Major D. Yusuf, Major I. Dauda, Captain Ibrahim Bello, Captain A.A. Yusuf, Lieutenant S.S. Felix, Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi, and Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu.
Investigators revealed that an air force officer recently deployed to the Office of the National Security Adviser was assigned to assassinate the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (Service No. NAF/3481), from Jigawa State, was posted to the National Counter Terrorism Centre, an agency under ONSA, four weeks before the plot was exposed.
Contrary to reports that several suspects had ties to ONSA, investigators identified Adamu as the only officer linked through the NCTC.
Military sources said when Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of NCTC, requested the posting of a particular officer to the centre in August 2025, the request was denied, and Adamu was sent instead, a move that has raised suspicions about infiltration within the military command.
Adamu is a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Regular Course 59.
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