The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has intensified investigations into the alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu’s led government, with the number of detained officers now put at 42.
Sources who spoke anonymously to Daily Trust confirmed the development on Tuesday, noting that the interrogations were aimed at uncovering the extent of involvement and determining if the discussions ever translated into a concrete plan.
“So far, 42 officers have been picked up. They are being interrogated to establish the depth of involvement and whether there was any concrete plan beyond mere discussions,” one of the sources revealed.
Another source added that the figure could rise as the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and military police continue to trace communication links and funding trails connected to the alleged plot.
Sylva’s Home Raided, Brother Arrested
Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has confirmed that military operatives raided his Abuja residence.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Julius Bokoru, Sylva admitted that the operatives stormed his Abuja and Bayelsa residences on Sunday, during which his younger brother was arrested.
The raid comes amid claims that the managing director of a federal agency in the South-South was also picked up and interrogated over the alleged transfer of funds to Sylva for purported coup financing.
Reacting to the reports, Bokoru dismissed any suggestion of Sylva’s involvement, describing the allegations as politically motivated.
“Chief Timipre Sylva remains a committed democrat and supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These rumours are the handiwork of political opponents trying to tarnish his image ahead of 2027,” Bokoru stated.