A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to topple President Bola Tinubu, as military intelligence officers have detained and are questioning the Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South-South region for suspected financial involvement in the scheme.
Security sources disclosed that the official is being grilled for allegedly transferring a substantial amount of money to a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who is under investigation for allegedly funding the plot to unlawfully change the government.
According to the sources, investigators suspect that the funds may have been intended to finance the purported coup plan.
“The MD, whose name is being kept under wraps for now, allegedly transferred a large sum of money to Chief Sylva. The investigators are probing the link between the transfer and the alleged coup financing. He is currently being interrogated to explain the purpose of the transaction,” one of the sources said.
It was further gathered that military operatives raided Sylva’s Abuja home on Saturday, arresting his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, alongside his driver.
Chief Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was said to be outside the country when the raid took place.
Investigative sources hinted that the former minister was preparing to return to Nigeria but reportedly changed his plans after learning that several suspected coup financiers had been arrested.
“His Abuja residence was searched on Saturday, but he was away. His younger brother and his driver were arrested. Investigators believe he may have provided financial backing for the alleged coup,” another source confirmed.
Efforts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, were unsuccessful, as both officers did not respond to phone calls from our correspondent.
However, Brig.-Gen. Gusau, in a statement issued on October 4, had earlier announced the arrest of 16 military officers for indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
“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 shown that their grievances were mainly due to perceived career stagnation resulting from repeated failure in promotion examinations,” the statement said.
