Leaked Document Reveals Sh*cking Alleged Plan To Enlist Repentant Boko Haram In Coup Plot

Fresh court documents have revealed that some military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu allegedly explored recruiting repentant Boko Haram fighters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to support the operation.

The documents, obtained by Premium Times, reportedly span more than 7,400 pages and contain statements attributed to serving and retired military officers, civilians linked to the alleged plot, bank records, encrypted chats, purchase receipts, and details of hotels allegedly used for clandestine meetings.

The alleged coup plot came to light in September 2025 after the arrest of 16 serving military officers. Over the following four months, security agencies reportedly detained about 40 individuals, including a police officer and several civilians.

Although the military initially described the investigation as one involving indiscipline and breaches of service rules, the Defence Headquarters later announced that the suspects were being prosecuted over an alleged coup plot.

The serving officers are currently standing trial before a General Court-Martial, while retired military personnel and civilians accused of involvement are facing prosecution at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In April, the Federal Government filed a 13-count charge against six defendants: retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Presidential Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Zaria-based Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Sani.

Statements allegedly made by the defendants form part of the prosecution’s evidence. However, several of the accused have challenged their admissibility, insisting the statements were not made voluntarily. Their objections prompted the trial judge to order a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements can be admitted.

Alleged Plan to Recruit CJTF, Repentant Fighters

According to the documents, Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, identified by investigators as the alleged leader of the plot, was approached by Major Jamilu Ilyasu with a proposal to recruit members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and repentant Boko Haram fighters.

The CJTF is a government-backed volunteer force assisting the military in counter-insurgency operations across Nigeria’s North-East. Formed as a community resistance movement against Boko Haram, the group reportedly has about 26,000 members in Borno State.

Investigators quoted Ma’aji as saying that although Ilyasu suggested bringing repentant insurgents to Abuja, the proposal was never carried out.

“It was Maj. Ilyasu who brought up the discussion of using repentant Boko Haram who are already using their weapons. Before this, I did not know that repentant Boko Haram were involved in our military operations,” Ma’aji reportedly stated.

Some former Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters who surrendered have reportedly been integrated into limited support roles after undergoing screening and rehabilitation under Borno State’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme, commonly referred to as the Borno Model.

Alleged Manpower Concerns

Ma’aji also reportedly told investigators that discussions about recruiting CJTF members arose after he complained about a shortage of personnel during a meeting with Ilyasu in the North-East.

According to his statement, Ilyasu responded by suggesting that CJTF members attached to the military’s 7 Division could be recruited.

Ma’aji further claimed that Ilyasu proposed using Boko Haram technicians to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs), an idea he allegedly rejected.

“If there was any discussion of IED, it was Maj. Ilyasu who said he had some Boko Haram technicians working in the theatre to make IED, but I told him that would not be necessary,” he reportedly said.

Major Admits Suggesting CJTF Recruitment

In his own statement, Ilyasu reportedly acknowledged recommending the recruitment of CJTF members but did not directly address allegations concerning repentant Boko Haram fighters.

He claimed he advised Ma’aji that he could contact a CJTF member identified as Saminu, adding that he later reached out to another volunteer, Ali, who had previously served with him while he was posted to the 212 Battalion.

According to Ilyasu, he later forwarded voice messages with Ali to Ma’aji as proof that he was making arrangements to mobilise CJTF members.

The documents do not clearly explain why investigators believe the alleged plotters sought the involvement of repentant insurgents and CJTF volunteers. However, statements attributed to Ma’aji and Ilyasu suggested they considered them valuable because of their combat experience and access to firearms used during counter-insurgency operations.

Research supported by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research previously estimated that about 55,000 civilian volunteers involved in anti-insurgency operations in Borno State possessed roughly 25,000 firearms, including hunting rifles, pump-action shotguns, locally made weapons, and some assault rifles recovered from insurgents.

The study, conducted by researcher Eric Berman, raised concerns over the documentation and control of weapons issued to volunteer groups, recommending a centralised database and unique markings to prevent diversion and misuse.

Defendants Contest Evidence

Meanwhile, the defendants continue to challenge both the statements attributed to them and video recordings of their interrogations.

The six defendants before the Federal High Court have argued that investigators failed to follow proper procedures in obtaining the statements and recordings, making them inadmissible.

The prosecution has rejected those claims, maintaining that all evidence was lawfully obtained and urging the court to admit it as part of the trial.