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Former Southern Governor Linked To Alleged Coup Plot In Nigeria
A former governor from the southern part of Nigeria is reportedly under investigation for his suspected involvement in the alleged coup plot that led to the arrest of several army officers.
The detained officers were accused of planning to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to Daily Trust, security sources disclosed that the former governor is being closely monitored after reports emerged that he might have financed the planned coup, which was allegedly scheduled to take place on October 25.
Sixteen military officers, including a Brigadier-General and a Colonel, are currently in custody for their alleged roles in the scheme.
Some of them were said to be attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Investigations are being handled by the Defence Intelligence Agency, with participation from officers representing the three branches of the Armed Forces.
The probe panel is reportedly led by a Major-General, and the full list of those being investigated is being kept confidential.
It was gathered that the former governor under watch had previously worked in the oil and gas sector before venturing into politics, Daily Trust reports.
Investigators are now reviewing his recent interactions with the detained officers to determine his level of involvement.
If strong evidence links him to the suspects, he may be summoned for interrogation.
Reports also revealed that the Brigadier-General in custody hails from Niger State, while the Colonel being investigated is from Nasarawa State and belongs to a prominent family.
The family, including relatives of former Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, is said to be deeply distressed by the situation.
In another development, Premium Times on Saturday reported that the alleged coup plot included plans to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Sources familiar with the development told Premium Times that the officers scheduled October 25 as the date to carry out the operation.
They allegedly intended to execute the plan on a day when all targeted officials would be within the country.
The plan reportedly involved a coordinated strike where the leaders would be attacked at the same time, while top military officers such as service chiefs would be arrested instead of killed.
Investigations from Premium Times show that the suspected coup plotters had informants within the Presidential Villa and close to the movements of the targeted officials.
These insiders allegedly monitored their schedules and provided intelligence to aid the planned operation.
The plot created panic within the government and security agencies, leading to the cancellation of the Independence Day parade on October 1.
Though arrests were made before the date, the presidency reportedly decided against holding the military parade to avoid potential security risks.
Around 20 officers have been arrested and detained over the alleged coup attempt.
More findings from Sahara Reporters revealed that most of the detained officers are from northern Nigeria and are currently being held at the DIA facility without access to their families.
According to Sahara Reporters, among them is Lieutenant Colonel Al-Makura, who recently returned from a special combat course in China before being posted to the NSA office.
The officer is reportedly known for his strict and fearless approach during his time in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to Sahara Reporters, his brother, also a Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of the 343 Artillery Regiment in Elele, was briefly detained but later released after investigations cleared him of involvement.
Both men are nephews of Tanko Al-Makura, who now chairs the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
News
How 2018 Federal Legal Advice Exonerated Saraki In Offa Robbery Case
In light of the Kwara State Government’s fresh prosecution of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his successor over the Offa robbery, fresh facts have emerged on why the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. E. U. (Etsu Umar) Mohammed gave the duo a clean bill of health.
The Federal Director of Public Prosecutions cleared former Senate President Bukola Saraki of involvement in the Offa bank robbery in 2018, citing no evidence of a connection.
It was gathered that the DPP reviewed a 16-page police report prepared and signed by Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and then head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) at Force Headquarters, Abuja. The report detailed investigations into the April 5, 2018, multiple bank robbery attack in Offa, Kwara State.
The DPP in his first report dated June 22, 2018 and signed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, prepared a five page legal advice in which he noted in paragraph 5 (f) that “for the Senate President (Saraki) and the Kwara State Governor (Ahmed), his office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects. Hence, it is our advice that further and thorough investigation in this regard be carried out”.
Following the submission of a second report by the police investigating team to his office on July 27, 2018, the DPP prepared a second legal advice, which was dated August 23, 2018. The three-page legal advice also has only three paragraphs.
In paragraph 3 (vi), he noted that “with regards to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since there is no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report, this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide punishable with death”.
Both legal advices had recommended six people for prosecution. They are: Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Ibrahim, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran, and Michael Adiukwu.
One of the suspects, Michael Adiukwu, later died in police custody, while the other five had since been tried at the High Court in Ilorin.
During the trial, the suspects revealed how they were coerced into incriminating Senator Bukola Saraki.
They mentioned several inducements dangled before them, including money and the promise of a visa to travel out of the country.
The suspects have since been convicted and their convictions confirmed by the Court of Appeal. The matter is now pending before the apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
News
₦400m Ransom Demanded As Gunmen Abduct Another Kwara Ruler
Terrorists have abducted a traditional ruler in Olayinka community, located in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Salman Olátúnjí Aweda and are demanding a ₦400 million ransom for his release.
The abduction occurred on April 18, 2026, when armed men, suspected to be militia herdsmen, invaded the community and took the monarch, his wife, and another resident into the forest.
According to JomogNews, residents who witnessed the incident said the terrorists, numbering over 10, invaded the monarch’s residence around Saturday midnight, forced the door open, and abducted him alongside another person in the house.
The assailants reportedly led both victims into the bush.
Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, visited the community on Saturday on a sympathy visit and assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the monarch’s release.
“We are deeply concerned about this incident, and we are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” he said.
News
Living Faith Church Founder Declares Week Of Vengeance Against Insecurity Sponsors
Bishop David Oyedepo, General Overseer of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has declared that bandits and their sponsors will face divine judgment and retribution within seven days.
Speaking on Sunday, April 19, 2026, during a service themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance” at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, the cleric stated that those responsible for killings and kidnappings would face imminent consequences.
“I declare judgement on those who caused these tragedies and their supporters in the name of Jesus,” he said.
The cleric further asserted that divine retribution would occur within a short timeframe.
“Unless I am not sent, this will happen in the next seven days,” he added.
Oyedepo also expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon witness outcomes of what he described as divine intervention, noting that the coming days would bring “testimonies of vengeance.”
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