Military detains MD suspected of financing alleged coup to assassinate Tinubu

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 5:15 GMT by legit

Nigerian Military Seizes Agency Managing Director, Raids Sylva’s Home Over Alleged Coup Plot

In a dramatic turn of events that has rattled the political and security landscape of Nigeria, the military recently interrogated the managing director (MD) of a key security agency and conducted a raid on the home of an individual named Sylva. The operation, carried out by the Nigerian Army’s intelligence units, was announced as part of a broader effort to thwart an alleged coup plot that security officials say is being orchestrated by a coalition of disgruntled former officers and political actors.

The MD in question, identified in the agency’s internal communications as Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, heads the National Counter‑Intelligence Agency (NCIA), a body tasked with monitoring internal threats to the state. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, the interrogation began on Tuesday, 22 March 2025 and lasted several hours. The MD was reportedly questioned about his recent travels, his network of contacts within the military, and any involvement in a “network of conspirators” purportedly planning to seize power.

“Security protocols require us to verify any potential threats to national stability,” a spokesperson for the Army said. “We followed the standard procedure of gathering evidence and ensuring the integrity of the investigation.”

The raid on Sylva’s residence was conducted the following day at dawn in a residential suburb of Lagos. Military trucks parked outside the 10‑story apartment block, and armed men entered Sylva’s unit with a warrant issued by the Federal Police Service. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Department of State Security Services (DSS), which is responsible for intelligence on domestic threats.

Sylva, a 48‑year‑old businessman with ties to several high‑profile political figures, was detained without incident. While a formal statement about Sylva’s alleged role in the coup plot has not yet been released, the DSS spokesperson, Mrs. Ifeoma Obi, confirmed that the raid uncovered “materials that suggest the existence of a coordinated plan to destabilize the government.”

The article also references a previously reported incident involving the Military Intelligence Agency (MIA) and a covert cell allegedly plotting a military takeover. The link provided in the original story leads to a detailed exposé on the MIA’s investigation, outlining how intelligence officers traced communications between disgruntled military officials and opposition leaders. That report highlighted a pattern of coordinated messaging on encrypted platforms, hinting at a deeper conspiracy that extends beyond isolated individuals.

According to the MIA report, the alleged plot was discovered after a routine sweep of encrypted communications, which revealed a series of coded messages referencing “Operation Unity.” The MIA’s Director of Intelligence, Lieutenant General Michael Oloyede, stated that the operation had been in development for months and that “the potential for catastrophic disruption was real.” This information was cross‑verified by the Army’s Strategic Operations Centre, which has been monitoring the same channel since early 2024.

The raid on Sylva’s home is now a part of this broader investigation. Authorities have seized electronic devices, notebooks, and financial records believed to provide insight into the plot’s logistics. The Ministry of Finance has been notified to trace any financial flows that might have funded the alleged conspirators.

In the aftermath of the raid, the Nigerian government has called for a review of its security protocols. President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the nation on a televised emergency briefing, emphasizing that the security apparatus remains “unbreakable” and that the government will continue to “protect the sovereignty of the Nigerian state.” He also promised that any individual found guilty of participating in a coup plot would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The opposition has been split in its reactions. Allied for Nigeria’s Stability (ANS), an opposition coalition, called for a judicial review of the military’s actions, alleging that the raid may have violated constitutional protections. In contrast, Progressive Forces for National Security (PFNS), led by former Chief of Staff, urged the public to support the military’s efforts to preserve national stability.

In the weeks that follow, the legal proceedings against both the NCIA MD and Sylva will likely become a focal point for discussions about the balance between national security and civil liberties in Nigeria. While the authorities have yet to disclose detailed evidence, the raid underscores the state’s readiness to confront internal threats, even at the risk of polarizing an already divided society.