EXCLUSIVE: Details Uncovered About the Failed Coup Against President Tinubu

A classified intelligence initiative involving the Army Headquarters and the State Security Service (SSS) successfully dismantled a lethal scheme intended to upend President Bola Tinubu's administration, PREMIUM TIMES has confirmed.

According to several senior officials within the government, the conspiracy began to lose traction in late September 2025 when an unnamed military officer reached out to the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede. The officer reportedly shared details of the conspiracy, expressing concern about potentially being implicated in treason if he did not inform the authorities.

At the same time, the SSS had also gathered information suggesting that active army officers were plotting to destabilize the government and undermine Nigeria's democratic order. An official familiar with the situation reported that SSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi provided a briefing to Mr. Oluyede regarding these assertions.

Faced with corroborating intelligence from various agencies, the two security leaders decided to take prompt action. A comprehensive but discreet joint operation was initiated by the army and the SSS, aiming to arrest the alleged masterminds of the coup and their accomplices at various locations across the country.

On September 30, 2025, while President Tinubu was on an official visit to Imo State, the coordinated operation was set into motion unbeknownst to him. This sweep led to the capture of the primary suspects behind the coup, in addition to several military and civilian associates.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Emmanuel Undiandeye, together with the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, were subsequently informed. Mr. Undiandeye was then tasked with ensuring the detention of the suspects at the underground facilities of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

Following the suspects' initial apprehension, President Tinubu was advised of the foiled coup attempt. The visibly distressed president immediately called off the National Independence Day parade scheduled for October 1. He also authorized the assembly of a special investigative committee, which eventually led to more arrests. This committee was headed by General Undiandeye.

One detainee later escaped but was recaptured by SSS agents in Bauchi, according to a military insider. Meanwhile, a retired officer named General Adamu and a former governor, Timipre Sylva, both implicated in financially supporting the coup plotters, were still at large.

Subsequently, President Tinubu dismissed and retired the then Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, along with the heads of the navy and air force. General Oluyede was elevated to the position of Chief of Defence Staff and promoted to General. A few weeks later, General Musa made a comeback into the government as the Minister of Defence.

On October 4, the Defence Headquarters announced that arrested officers were undergoing investigation for 'indiscipline and violation of military protocols.' Preliminary reports indicated that the grievances of these officers related to feelings of stagnation in their careers and failures in promotion tests.

Despite accumulating evidence and numerous detailed accounts from PREMIUM TIMES and other media entities, the military consistently denied the existence of any coup conspiracy.

In an October 18 statement, the Defence Headquarters characterized the investigation concerning the 16 detained officers as a routine internal procedure aimed at maintaining accountability and standards within the armed forces.

However, on January 26, the military publicly acknowledged for the first time that certain officers had planned to illegally topple President Tinubu's government, declaring that those found culpable would face a military tribunal.

According to the Defence Headquarters, the inquiry was thorough and adhered to established protocols, scrutinizing 'all circumstances surrounding the actions of the involved personnel.'

The findings revealed numerous officers who were accused of scheming to overthrow the government, and such actions were labeled 'inconsistent with the ethical values and professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.'

As such, those who had cases to answer would face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other relevant service regulations.

The assassination plot aimed to eliminate crucial political figures including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. There were additional individuals targeted, though these were identified as the principal victims.

The instigators also aimed to detain senior military officials, although they did not plan to kill them. The conspirators intended to conduct simultaneous assassinations on the political leaders when all were present in the country. They had informants within the Presidential Villa and amongst those slated for removal, with plans to execute the political leaders at one time and implement a military regime.