Fresh investigative details presented before the Federal High Court in Abuja have exposed the operational layout and specific task assignments given to officers and civilians involved in an alleged plot to violently overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The security records show that the suspects mapped out coordinated attacks on strategic locations across the country.
Key targets included the Presidential Villa, Radio House, major airport runways, and the personal residences of senior military commanders.
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Prosecution teams pursuing treason charges against the accused persons disclosed that the plan relied on internal insider support.
The conspirators aimed to seize authority, disrupt national communications, and block military responses during the operation.
Operational Plans and Surveillance at Aso Rock
According to investigative files, individual operational tasks were assigned to specific members of the group to ensure the takeover of power centres in Abuja.
One of the primary suspects, Mr Usman, was tasked with directing the assault on the Presidential Villa.
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The records indicate that Usman had already conducted preliminary physical surveys inside the presidential complex with the assistance of an insider, Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who was attached to the Presidential Clinic.
Investigators also uncovered discussions regarding a proposed power blackout at the seat of power.
Zekeri Umoru, an electrician employed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the Villa’s maintenance department, revealed during questioning that planners considered cutting off electricity supply to the complex at the start of the attack. However, Umoru warned against the idea, stating that a sudden blackout would immediately alert security forces and cause duty staff to be detained and questioned.
Umoru further stated that the planners aimed to recruit up to 19 personnel from among Villa workers, soldiers, and State Security Service (SSS) officers.
He noted that after he pointed out the risks of the blackout plan, the leader of the group suggested using armed force to force entry if internal assistance failed.
Takeover Tasks and Airport Disruption
The coup plot strategy extended beyond the executive villa to broadcast stations and military command centres. Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim was initially assigned to secure the Armed Forces Headquarters. However his duty was later shifted to Radio House in Abuja. His role was to read the official overthrow broadcast to the nation.
Ibrahim explained that Lieutenant-Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah was originally chosen to make the announcement before the responsibility was transferred to him.
Bappah was subsequently reassigned to take control of the 102 Battalion in Zuma, Niger State.
Simultaneously, key military commanders were marked for immediate isolation. Major Muhammad Jiddah was tasked with taking over the residence of the Chief of Army Staff, while Major Daniel Yusuf was assigned to secure the home of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Air Force Leader S.B. Adamu was assigned to take over Air House, while Captain Akinwale Yusuf was expected to seize a divisional military headquarters in Lagos.
Additionally, retired Colonel M.M. Adamu was designated to coordinate troop movements from the entrance of Niger Barracks in Abuja.
Disrupting aviation transport was also treated as a priority. Conspirators believed that active flights could allow government loyalists to organise a counter-strike. To stop commercial and private flights in Abuja, the plan included placing an armed gun truck directly across the airport runway.
In Lagos, Lieutenant Sunday Felix was tasked with gathering security intelligence at the airport. Felix stated, “I knew the airport’s security arrangements due to my role in traffic control during visits of VIPs,” which helped him map out vulnerabilities.
Troop Mobilisation
Investigative files further show that the group planned to draw heavy weapons, armoured vehicles, and soldiers from multiple military bases. Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji allegedly planned to source weapons from the 45 Special Forces Battalion in Bida.
Other officers, including Lieutenant-Colonel Ponfa Dangnap and Lieutenant-Colonel Abdulrahman Hayatu, promised to provide gun trucks, ammunition, and troops from their respective units. Naval officer Bayawo Abdullahi also agreed to supply 14 personnel and three operational Hilux vehicles.
However, the investigative reports reveal sharp disagreements among the officers regarding the treatment of senior military leadership.
Major Ibrahim stated that he advised against killing senior commanders, arguing that successful historical takeovers relied on securing cooperation rather than violence.
Following these objections, the group leader agreed that service chiefs would only be arrested.
In contrast, Major A.D. Dauda claimed that Ma’aji explicitly stated that the Chief of Defence Staff would have to be killed or arrested to prevent any interference.
Dauda noted that this particular disagreement caused him to step back from the group.
