Alleged coup: N11bn found in detained military officer’s accounts

Alleged coup: N11bn found in detained military officer’s accounts

Military investigators have uncovered approximately ₦11 billion spread across multiple bank accounts linked to a detained army colonel implicated in an alleged coup plot involving senior military officers.

According to a report by The PUNCH, top security sources confirmed that the financial discovery has intensified suspicions surrounding the colonel’s role in the purported conspiracy to overthrow the government.

The colonel, who previously served under a brigadier general also under investigation, was once deployed to the Niger Delta region. During interrogation, he reportedly claimed the funds belonged to a former state governor, whom he described as a business associate. He maintained that the money was intended for legitimate business dealings.

The investigation is part of a broader intelligence operation initiated in August 2024, following reports of a planned coup by serving military personnel. Sources within the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) revealed that the suspects had been under surveillance for over a year, with authorities monitoring their communications, financial activities, and international connections.

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“The coup plotters have been under the radar since August 2024,” a security insider disclosed. “They mapped out three different dates to strike, including June 12 Democracy Day and October 1 Independence Day.”

Investigators say the suspects held meetings in the United Kingdom and Turkey earlier this year. The DIA reportedly delayed arrests to gather sufficient evidence before making its move.

Intelligence gathered during the operation is said to have influenced changes in President Bola Tinubu’s itinerary. One source noted that the President’s movements were deliberately altered to counter potential threats, leading to the cancellation of this year’s Independence Day celebrations.

“There was credible intelligence that they would execute the coup on October 1,” the source said. “The operation lasted over a year, but the service stayed ahead by intercepting their communications.”

The investigation continues as authorities work to unravel the full extent of the alleged plot and determine the origin and purpose of the colonel’s vast financial holdings.

Alleged coup: N11bn found in detained military officer’s accounts