Top intelligence sources have revealed shocking details of an alleged plot by disgruntled military officers to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, describing it as one of the most audacious threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
The conspiracy, which led to the arrest and detention of approximately 20 military officers, included plans to assassinate the nation’s top four political leaders, according to exclusive accounts shared with OBSERVERS TIMES.
Key Officials Marked for Assassination
The coup plotters had reportedly drawn up an assassination list targeting the country’s most senior officials for simultaneous elimination. Key targets included:
• President Bola Tinubu
• Vice President Kashim Shettima
• Senate President Godswill Akpabio
• Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas
“They were targeting the day that all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” a top intelligence source stated.
The plotters also planned to arrest, but not kill, top military brass, including the Service Chiefs, to clear the path for a military government.
Inside the Plot: Date and Informants
Insider accounts suggest the coup was tentatively scheduled to strike on October 25. “That was the tentative date,” the source said. “If things did not work out that day, they will continue plotting.”
The detained officers reportedly worked with informants located within the Presidential Villa and around the target officials to monitor their movements, enabling the planned simultaneous assassinations.
The severity of the plot reportedly forced the Presidency to cancel the annual National Independence Day parade usually held on October 1, despite the arrests having been made beforehand. “The government did not want to take risk since it was a military ceremony,” another officer familiar with the development explained.
Military Confirms Investigation
While neither the Presidency nor the military has officially commented on the coup or assassination details, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) previously acknowledged that officers were being probed.
In a statement dated October 4, Defence Headquarters spokesperson, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, confirmed the arrests, stating the officers “were being investigated for indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”
Mr. Gusau added that preliminary findings indicated the officers’ grievances stemmed from “career stagnation and failure in promotion examinations.” An investigative panel has since been set up to probe the involvement of the detained officers.
The revelations have created considerable tension within both government and military circles as the investigative panel continues its work. There are currently no clear details about the identities of the officers involved.
