Amanze Chinonye
Fresh details have emerged confirming Prime Business Africa’s (PBA) earlier report about a widening military investigation into an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Security tension escalated on Tuesday after soldiers reportedly raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The raid, according to verified media reports, was conducted by a special military team acting on intelligence that linked the former minister to secret meetings allegedly held with detained senior military officers.
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Sources within the security establishment told SaharaReporters that the operation, coordinated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), targeted Sylva’s Maitama home in Abuja, with a simultaneous search conducted at his residence in Bayelsa State.
During the Abuja raid, Sylva’s younger brother, identified as Paga Sylva, was reportedly taken into custody. Investigators are said to be probing the former minister’s alleged interactions with some of the 16 senior military officers currently held over the coup allegations.
A senior military source, quoted in the reports, described the raid as “a direct response to actionable intelligence,” adding that the move was not random. The source further claimed that Sylva “is believed to have fled the country,” though this assertion has not been independently verified by Prime Business Africa.
READ ALSO: Ex-Governor’s Role Probed in Alleged Nigerian Coup Plot
Detention of Senior Officers
The raid follows PBA’s earlier report that at least 16 senior military officers from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force have been detained for over three weeks by the DIA in an undisclosed facility in Abuja.
Family members of the detained officers told journalists that they initially feared their loved ones had been abducted, as no official explanation was provided by military authorities at the time of the arrests.
Security analysts have since questioned the unusual handling of the case, noting that the DIA – an intelligence agency under the Ministry of Defence, has taken an unusually central role in the investigation rather than allowing the respective military services to manage their internal affairs.
“If this were a normal disciplinary case, hundreds of officers would be involved,” a retired senior officer told PBA’s correspondent. “The selective detention of 16 officers and the DIA’s involvement indicate deeper political undertones.”
Political Context and Alleged Links
The development has sparked intense speculation about possible political motives behind the alleged coup plot. Several sources suggest that the probe may extend to civilian figures with ties to the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Timipre Sylva, a known ally of Buhari, served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources between 2019 and 2023. He was the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the November 2023 Bayelsa State election, which he lost to incumbent Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Official Silence and Ongoing Investigation
As at press time, neither the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) nor the Nigerian Army has issued an official statement confirming the raid or clarifying Sylva’s alleged role in the investigation.
Efforts by Prime Business Africa to reach Sylva or his media team for comment were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the DIA’s investigation remains ongoing, with security operatives reportedly expanding the scope of inquiry to include other civilians suspected of aiding or abetting the detained officers.
Prime Business Africa (PBA) will continue to monitor developments as more details emerge from the military and relevant security agencies.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
