Army reportedly raids Sylva’s Abuja home over alleged coup plot

Army reportedly raids Sylva’s Abuja home over alleged coup plot

In a startling twist, armed operatives of the Nigerian Army have reportedly stormed the Abuja residence of Chief Timipre Sylva, former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, in connection with an alleged coup plot under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

The raid, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, was carried out by a specialized military team at Sylva’s Maitama home, sources familiar with the operation told Punch. The move is said to be based on intelligence linking the former minister to secret meetings with detained military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

Security sources also confirmed that the operation extended to Sylva’s Bayelsa residence, where his brother, identified as Paga, was arrested.

“The Nigerian Army special team ransacked the home of Timipre Sylva, who is believed to have fled Nigeria. He is the South-South former governor frequently mentioned in the case. His brother, Paga, was picked up during the raid,” a top source disclosed.

Although the military is yet to issue an official statement, insiders say the raid was triggered by “credible intelligence” implicating certain political figures in the alleged conspiracy.

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This development comes amid rising tension within the Armed Forces, following reports that at least 16 senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force have been detained by the DIA. The officers, held incommunicado for over three weeks in an undisclosed Abuja facility, were initially feared kidnapped by their families due to the lack of official communication.

“It’s been 18 days since those 16 officers were detained in an undisclosed location. At first, we thought our brother was kidnapped before finding out what transpired from his friend who works in the NSA office,” a family member said.

Security experts have raised eyebrows over the DIA’s involvement, arguing that such probes are typically handled by the respective military branches. Some analysts believe the situation may be politically charged.

“If the military were truly conducting a disciplinary operation, over 10,000 cases could emerge. Why only 16 officers, and why hand them to the DIA?” a retired senior officer queried. “This smells of politics. There’s clearly more going on behind the scenes.”

Sylva, a known ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari, served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2019 to 2023. He was the APC’s candidate in the November 2023 Bayelsa governorship election, which he lost to incumbent Governor Douye Diri of the PDP.

As of press time, the Nigerian Army and Defence Headquarters had yet to comment on the raid or Sylva’s whereabouts.

Army reportedly raids Sylva’s Abuja home over alleged coup plot