Nigerian security agencies have foiled a massive coup plot aimed at assassinating President Bola Tinubu, uncovering an N835 million (approx. KES 66.8m) financing network led by high-profile political figures.

The foundations of Nigeria's democratic stability have been deeply shaken following the exposure of a highly coordinated, multi-million-naira military coup plot. The sheer scale and audacity of the conspiracy highlight severe underlying fractures within the nation's political and military establishments.

For the African continent, which has witnessed a recent resurgence of military juntas in the Sahel, the foiling of this plot in its largest democracy is a critical sigh of relief, though the implications remain deeply unsettling.

The Architects of the Treason

Following a sweeping covert intelligence operation spearheaded by the Defence Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS), 40 suspects have been detained. The ringleader has been identified as Colonel Alhassan Maaji, a high-ranking officer with the Defence Space Administration.

The plot was exceptionally violent in its objectives. The conspirators had marked top government officials for outright elimination. Targets included President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and various Service Chiefs. Intelligence revealed the plotters had embedded informants within the Presidential Villa to monitor targets' movements.

The Financial Trail

A coup of this magnitude requires immense capital, and investigators have followed the money straight to the political elite. The conspiracy was allegedly bankrolled to the tune of N835 million (approx. KES 66.8 million).

• Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva is accused of contributing the lion's share, funneling N785 million into the operation.
• Retired Major General Adamu served as the secondary financier and key networker.
• The funds were meticulously laundered through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based construction firm.

The Aftermath and Manhunt

While 40 individuals—including 16 active military officers, police personnel, and civilian propagandists—are currently in custody awaiting court-martial, the masterminds remain fugitives. Both Timipre Sylva and Major General Adamu are at large, with intelligence sources tracking one suspect to a South American hideout.

"The military has confirmed the indicted officers will be arraigned before judicial panels," a Defence spokesperson stated, promising that the full weight of military law will be brought down upon the traitors.