By Muhammad Mamman
Intelligence from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has linked approximately ₦11 billion to the bank accounts of a colonel currently detained in connection with a suspected coup involving senior military officers.
According to sources, the colonel—who served under a brigadier-general now also under investigation—was deployed in the Niger Delta region prior to his arrest. During interrogation, he claimed the funds were part of a legitimate business transaction and belonged to a former governor with whom he said he was in partnership.
- The probe is part of a broader investigation launched in August 2024 after intelligence flagged meetings, financial movements and communication patterns among serving officers.
- Beyond the ₦11 billion, investigators also uncovered links to an alleged ₦45 billion payment by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which may have been funnelled through military-linked accounts.
- The detained officers – over 40 to date – include personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force. They are reportedly attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), raising questions about internal security governance.
- Official statements from the military emphasise “professional misconduct” rather than overt treason, yet the scale of finances and network depth suggests a far more serious threat.
- For the federal government, the scandal presents a dual challenge: undermining confidence in the armed forces and exposing how governance of public funds and military oversight may intersect dangerously.
