40 Suspects Have Been Linked To Alleged Coup Against Tinubu (Full List)

Nigerian security agencies have reportedly wrapped up investigations into an alleged coup plot to violently topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration, identifying 40 suspects spanning the military, police, and civilian sectors.

The suspects include senior military officers, a police officer, and civilians allegedly involved in reconnaissance, funding, and propaganda operations.

A Premium Times report quoted security sources as having identified 13 individuals apprehended by the State Security Service (SSS), including two military personnel (one retired), one police officer, and 10 civilians.

Sixteen military officers were arrested for direct participation, two civilians for reconnaissance, two for incitement to civil disobedience to justify the coup, and five others in connection with funding channels.

“One detained soldier escaped custody but was later rearrested by SSS operatives in Bauchi,” insiders told Premium Times.

The Defence Headquarters confirmed that the investigation had been concluded and forwarded to “appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.”

The military described the findings as identifying “several officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government,” calling such actions “inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

“At least 25 military officers and personnel are expected to face trial in connection with the coup attempt,” a source familiar with the investigation said.

An unspecified number of civilians remain in custody, under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the SSS, for roles in financing, logistics, and coordination.

Investigators revealed that the plotters initially aimed to disrupt the handover of power from former President Muhammadu Buhari to President Tinubu on May 29, 2023. However, the plan stalled due to insufficient funds and logistical gaps.

The conspiracy was reportedly revived in 2025 after former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva allegedly transferred nearly N1 billion to three bank accounts operated by a Bureau De Change operator, intelligence sources said.

Retired Major General Adamu, identified as a key figure, along with Sylva and three other suspects, remain at large. One fleeing suspect has been traced to South America, though details remain undisclosed for security reasons.

Presidential and Government Officials Targeted

Sources revealed that the alleged coup plotters had planned assassinations of President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas.

“They were waiting for a day when all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated,” one source told journalists.

Service Chiefs, commanders of the Guards Brigade, and other strategic figures were also reportedly targeted. Informants within the Presidential Villa were said to be monitoring the movements of the officials.

Investigators also disclosed that some officers were tasked with seizing strategic locations, including the Presidential Villa, Niger Barracks, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Complex, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Full List Of Suspects Includes high-ranking officers such as:

Brigadier General MA Sadiq (Army Headquarters Garrison), Colonel MA Ma’aji (Defence Space Administration) and Lieutenant Colonel S Bappah (525 Signal Regiment).

Other officers include Lieutenant Colonels AA Hayatu, P Dangnap, M Almakura, AA Jarma, SM Gana, alongside majors, captains, lieutenants, and non-commissioned officers.

Civilian suspects include Umoru Zekeri (Julius Berger Villa Electrician), Ali Isah (Villa ambulance driver), and Stanley Kingley Amandi (actor allegedly hired as a propagandist).

Details of six other suspects remain unclear as of press time, Naija News understands.

Below is the full list of the 40 suspects and their supposed units and addresses.

NAME – UNIT/ADDRESS

1. MA Sadiq (Brigadier General) – Army Headquarters Garrison
2. MA Ma’aji (Colonel) – Defence Space Administration
3. S Bappah (Lt. Colonel) – 525 Signal Regiment
4. AA Hayatu (Lt Colonel) – 130 Battalion Main, Ogoja, Cross River State
5. P Dangnap (Lt Colonel) – 134 Special Force Battalion
6. M Almakura (Lt Colonel) – 197 Special Force Battalion
7. AA Jarma (Lt Colonel) – CO, 35 Battalion Katsina
8. SM Gana (Lt Colonel) – 115 Task Force Battalion
9. AD Dauda (Maj) – Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
10. JM GANAKS (Maj) – Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
11. AJ Ibrahim (Maj) – Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans
12. MM Jiddah (Maj) – 26 Battalion
13. MA Usman (Maj) – 35 Battalion
14. D Yusuf (Maj) – Forward Operating Base Molai (AHQ SG)
15. J Iliyasu (Maj) – 3 Division Garrison
16. A Mohammed (Maj) – 63 Brigade Garrison
17. DB Abdullahi (Lt Cdr) – Naval Base Abuja
18. SB Adamu (Sqn Ldr) – National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC)
19. NG Zuzu (Sqn Ldr) – Headquarters, Nigeria Air Force Camp
20. G Binuga (Captain) – 1 NMF Brigade
21. AA Yusuf (Captain) – Nigerian Army of the School of Finance and Administration (NASFA)
22. Bello (Captain) – 82 Division Garrison
23. SS Felix (Lt) – 81 Division Provost Group
24. J Aminu (Lt) – Headquarters Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR)
25. Nasiru Ibrahim – (WO) 82 Division Garrison
26. Sanda Usman (Sgt) – 167 Special Force Battalion
27. Mohammed Zubairu – (Sgt) 177 Guards Battalion
28. Momoh Audu (Cpl) – 343 Artillery Regiment
29. Ahmed Ibrahim (Inspector) – 24 Police Mobile Force, Presidential Villa
30. EO Victor (Navy Capt/Rtd) – 3 Abraham Avenue off Odili Road, Port Harcourt
31. Umoru Zekeri – Julius Berger, Villa Electrician
32. Y Nasiru (LCpl) –  82 Division Garrison
33. Sambo Danladi (LCpl) – 82 Division Garrison
34. Abdul Abdullahi (SSgt) – 82 Division Garrison
35. Ali Isah – Villa Ambulance Driver
36. ML Mohammed (Capt) – 18 Battalion
37. UI Yusuf (Wg Cdr) – International/Helicopter Flying School, Enugu
38. IM Gana (Maj Gen Rtd) – No 34 A Army Estate, Kubwa, Abuja
39. Stanley Kingley Amandi – Propagandist
40. Goni Bukar