Investigators Recover AA Guns, RPGs, 32 Vehicles From Suspects Coup Plotters Against Tinubu
A report has emerged revealing details of arms, ammunition, vehicles and cash recovered from military officers and civilians accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government last year.
An inter-agency probe panel led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Emmanuel Undiandeye, a lieutenant general, has concluded investigations into the foiled coup attempt, uncovering what officials described as an elaborate scheme involving reconnaissance, funding, logistics and propaganda.
Multiple security sources told Premium Times that investigators recovered two gun trucks, anti-aircraft (AA) guns, PKT machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, AK-47 rifles, large quantities of ammunition and tactical gear from a lieutenant colonel attached to the Nigerian Army’s 130 Battalion.
Investigators also seized four Toyota Hilux trucks, one Toyota Prado SUV, two Toyota saloon cars and 32 Volkswagen Golf vehicles allegedly procured for covert operations.
According to sources, the vehicles were deployed to disguise movements, gather intelligence and enable discreet access to sensitive locations, including airports and other strategic facilities.
“The cars were used to move operatives around without attracting attention and to conduct reconnaissance linked to the plot,” one source said.
The investigation identified a retired major general, Adamu, as one of the key figures connected to the network. He remains at large alongside three other suspects.
Intelligence sources disclosed that one fleeing suspect was tracked to a country in South America, although his precise location has not been disclosed for security reasons.
Security agencies are now working jointly to dismantle remaining cells linked to the plot, with surveillance and cross-border intelligence coordination ongoing.
Authorities are awaiting presidential approval to formally constitute a court-martial to try implicated military personnel, sources said.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that 16 officers were initially arrested for direct involvement. However, the constitution of a special investigative panel later led to additional arrests.
“At least 25 military officers and personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the coup attempt,” a source familiar with the probe said.
An unspecified number of civilians are also in custody, being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) over alleged roles in financing, logistics and coordination.
Investigators have also accused former Bayelsa State governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, of bankrolling the alleged coup plotters.
It was gathered that Mr Sylva allegedly transferred nearly ₦1 billion in multiple tranches to three bank accounts operated by a Bureau De Change operator to finance the conspiracy.
Sources said the coup was initially planned for May 29, 2023 – President Tinubu’s inauguration day – but was suspended due to insufficient funds and inadequate logistics.
Investigators found that the conspirators revived the plan in 2024 after raising additional funds.
Earlier reporting revealed that the plotters marked several top government officials for assassination, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
Further findings now show that the conspirators also targeted service chiefs and the Commander of the Guards Brigade.
“Those were the principal targets, though others were also listed,” one source said.
Some officers were assigned to seize control of the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Complex and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The plotters also planned to detain senior military officers, including service chiefs. “They did not intend to kill them,” a source said.
According to investigators, the conspirators planned to assassinate political leaders simultaneously.
“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country,” one official said. “Wherever they were, they would be assassinated.”
Sources said the plot relied on informants within the Presidential Villa and around the officials slated for elimination.
“They had people inside the Villa monitoring movements,” a source added. “The ultimate goal was to kill the leadership at once and install a military government.”
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters announced that investigations had been completed and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”
The military said the findings identified “several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” describing such actions as inconsistent with the ethics and professional standards of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The suspects were arrested through a covert intelligence operation coordinated by the Army Headquarters and the SSS.
