Alleged Coup Plot: Document Reveals Planned Attacks On Aso Rock, Service Chiefs’ Homes, Airports

Fresh details have emerged on the alleged roles assigned to military officers and civilians accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, with strategic government and military facilities reportedly identified as operational targets.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to investigative documents obtained by Premium Times, members of the alleged conspiracy were assigned specific responsibilities, including securing the Presidential Villa, Radio House, military formations, airports and the residences of top military officers.

The prosecution has also tendered additional details of the alleged plot before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where several of the defendants are standing trial.

According to the documents, one of the suspects, identified as Mr. Usman, was allegedly tasked with leading the operation at the Presidential Villa after reportedly conducting reconnaissance of the complex with the assistance of insiders, including a police officer identified as Ahmed Ibrahim.

During court proceedings in May, prosecutors played a video recording in which one of the defendants, Zekeri Umoru, allegedly told investigators that the plotters considered cutting electricity to the Presidential Villa during the operation.

Umoru, an employee of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc attached to the Villa’s Maintenance Department, reportedly said he advised against the idea, warning that a sudden blackout would immediately trigger suspicion and expose workers on duty to investigation.

He further claimed that the alleged conspirators planned to recruit between 18 and 19 insiders drawn from soldiers, State Security Service (SSS) personnel and Julius Berger employees working within the Presidential Villa.

According to his statement, after he expressed concerns over the proposed power outage, the alleged leader of the plot considered using force to gain access to the Villa if insiders failed to cooperate.

However, Umoru and several other defendants have challenged the admissibility of their video recordings and extra-judicial statements, arguing that they were not voluntarily obtained.

Radio House, Military Facilities Allegedly Targeted

The investigative documents also outlined the alleged operational assignments of other suspects.

Lieutenant-Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah was reportedly assigned to take control of the 102 Battalion in Zuma, Niger State.

Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim was initially said to have been designated to secure the Armed Forces Headquarters before his assignment was reportedly changed to Radio House in Abuja, where he was allegedly expected to announce the takeover in a nationwide broadcast.

According to investigators, Ibrahim claimed Bappah had originally been selected to make the broadcast before the responsibility was reassigned to him.

A Nigerian Air Force Squadron Leader identified as S.B. Adamu was allegedly assigned to seize Air House.

Major Muhammad Jiddah was reportedly tasked with taking control of the residence of the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, while Major Daniel Yusuf was allegedly assigned to the residence of the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

Captain Akinwale Yusuf, who was serving in Lagos, was also allegedly assigned to secure a divisional headquarters in the state.

Investigators further alleged that a retired colonel, M.M. Adamu, who is said to be at large, was expected to coordinate activities from the entrance of Niger Barracks in Abuja.

Airports Identified as Strategic Targets

The documents also suggested that airports were considered critical to the success of the alleged operation.

According to investigators, Major Ibrahim stated that the alleged conspirators believed uninterrupted flight operations could undermine the planned takeover.

His statement claimed the group intended to position a gun truck on the runway of the Abuja airport to disrupt air traffic during the operation.

Lieutenant Sunday Felix also reportedly told investigators that he was assigned to survey the Lagos airport, gather operational intelligence and assist in disrupting flight operations on the day of execution.

“I knew the airport’s security arrangements due to my role in traffic control during visits of VIPs,” Felix reportedly told investigators.

Troops, Weapons and Vehicles Allegedly Mobilised

The investigative records also alleged that the conspirators planned to mobilise troops, weapons, ammunition and operational vehicles from several military formations.

According to investigators, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji allegedly stated that Mr. Usman was expected to source personnel and equipment from the 45 Special Forces Battalion in Bida.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ponfa Dangnap was reportedly assigned to mobilise troops and logistics from the 134 Battalion in the North-East, while Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim was allegedly tasked with obtaining resources from the 198 Battalion.

Ma’aji further claimed that Dangnap and Lieutenant-Colonel Abulrahman Hayatu assured him they had access to sufficient troops, vehicles, ammunition and weapons, although no final date had been fixed for the alleged operation.

Investigators also alleged that Dangnap was expected to provide four gun trucks, while Hayatu would contribute two gun trucks and supporting soldiers.

Another suspect, Bayawo Abdullahi, reportedly told investigators he had about 14 personnel under his command and access to three operational Hilux vehicles for the operation.

Alleged Disagreement Over Use of Force

The documents also revealed differing accounts over how senior military officers were to be treated if the alleged coup succeeded.

According to investigators, Major Ibrahim said he advised Ma’aji against bloodshed, arguing that successful military takeovers were more likely to succeed through the cooperation of senior officers than through violence.

He also claimed Lieutenant-Colonel Hayatu opposed killing anyone, after which the alleged plot leader reportedly said the service chiefs and other designated officials would instead be arrested.

However, another defendant, Major A.D. Dauda, gave investigators a different account.

According to his statement, Ma’aji allegedly said the then Chief of Defence Staff would have to be arrested or killed to prevent him from resisting the operation.

Dauda reportedly told investigators that the conversation prompted him to distance himself from the alleged conspiracy.

According to the investigative documents, the alleged operational assignments included:

• Presidential Villa: Mr. Usman
• Radio House: Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim
• Air House: Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu
• Residence of the Chief of Army Staff: Major Muhammad Jiddah
• Residence of the Chief of Defence Staff: Major Daniel Yusuf
• 102 Battalion, Zuma: Lieutenant-Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah