‘I Acted Out of Patriotism’ — Army Colonel Ma’aji Breaks Silence, Explains Why He Plotted Coup Against Tinubu

A Nigerian Army Colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, who is facing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, has broken his silence, attributing his actions to patriotism and deep frustration over what he described as Nigeria’s worsening economic and security conditions. Ma’aji’s explanations, contained in fresh court records, provide new details about how investigators said a group of military officers and civilians allegedly developed, suspended, and later revived a plan to unseat President Tinubu’s administration. The alleged plot, uncovered in September 2025, reportedly led to the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade and significant changes in the military hierarchy. Defence Headquarters has declined to react to the development, with Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, stating that commenting would amount to subjudice since the case is still before a court martial.

In a statement made available on Monday, Ma’aji apologised for his involvement and appealed to the authorities for leniency, insisting that his motive was not personal ambition but a deep desire for a better Nigeria. “What has happened has a very long history, and it is driven by patriotism and I love the job and country. Every time I look at how I’m struggling to raise five children with my meagre salary, I get worried. Looking at every aspect of life in Nigeria, there is no hope for the common man, and we are left to defend ourselves,” Ma’aji said. He stressed: “This has nothing to do with any ambition or personal goals. It is purely out of the desire for a prosperous country that works for everyone.” According to the colonel, the plan emerged from concerns among some military personnel over poor governance, widespread insecurity, inadequate welfare for troops, and declining living standards for ordinary Nigerians. He said the situation had become so troubling that he feared the country was heading towards collapse. He alleged that military personnel were particularly affected by inadequate welfare, citing the condition of soldiers wounded in combat at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, and the challenges facing serving personnel and their families.

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Ma’aji revealed that the initial planning started during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari. He said discussions regarding a potential military intervention first commenced in 2023, towards the end of Buhari’s tenure, when nepotism and systemic corruption allegedly spiralled out of control. However, Ma’aji disclosed that the project was initially abandoned due to insufficient funding, poor logistics, and limited manpower. He said the early financing was largely drawn from his own pocket, with one Army Major contributing N1 million and another officer providing dollar contributions. The colonel stated that the movement was revived after he failed to secure promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General for the second time in 2024. According to him, some of his colleagues encouraged him to revive the movement after the second setback. “When I was denied my first attempt for Brig Gen. Nobody up till today called me to tell me why, so also the second attempt. If our leaders are caring, that should not have been the case. In fact, after I lost my second attempt, many of the boys called me and said oga, we told you there is no other option than to go ahead with our plans and that was how the movement was revived again,” he said. He was careful to stress, however, that the failed promotion was not the primary motivation, and that his broader concerns about the direction of the country remained the driving force.

The colonel maintained that the movement was still at the stage of mobilisation and discussions when security authorities intervened, adding that no specific date had been agreed for any action. He also denied that there were foreign collaborators, while explaining that various individuals became involved at different stages of the discussions. Ma’aji said some of those approached expressed concerns about the state of the country, while others withdrew or failed to provide the resources they had initially promised. According to reports, Ma’aji also disclosed that he had spoken with several officers and named individuals who were aware of or involved in the plans, including Maj Usman, Lt Col Dangnap, Maj AJ Ibrahim, and others. He also mentioned that Brig Gen Sadiq was aware of the plans when he was Garrison Commander in Lagos.

Ma’aji said his arrest and subsequent detention had changed his outlook, making him recognise that there were lawful channels through which grievances within the military could be addressed. “If God willing, the authority is kind enough to pardon us, we will never contemplate this course of action again in the future,” he said. The colonel appealed to the authorities to consider the circumstances that led to the alleged plot and pardon those involved, describing them as first offenders. “We are pleading for a pardon and a chance to amend our ways. Many of the officers have participated in some operations in the North-East. I am happy nobody has been hurt,” he said. He insisted: “Everything we planned was born out of patriotism, love of country, and the desire to have a prosperous Nigeria that we all can be proud of.” Ma’aji described his detention as “challenging and revealing”, adding that it had given him an opportunity to reconsider his approach to expressing grievances. He maintained that he and others involved had no other country to call their own and urged the authorities to consider their contributions to national security alongside the allegations against them.

In his statement, Ma’aji made wide-ranging recommendations to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. He called for improved remuneration, arguing that the salary of Nigerian Armed Forces personnel is too low considering current economic realities and inflation. He also called for robust welfare packages, including expanded loan programmes, review of the Armed Forces health insurance package to cover critical health challenges, sustainable housing programmes, and the revival of the Obasanjo car loan scheme, while advocating for a dedicated welfare department within the Armed Forces. He criticised what he described as godfatherism, “where you can hardly get anything without someone calling in on your behalf,” noting that some officers have spent eight to nine years on operations while others have never been deployed to the North-East. On pension reform, he said: “Col Adamu told me that his pension cannot buy his BP drugs. I feel sad when I saw CDS ordering ex-servicemen to be dispersed from their protest ground for improved pensions. We should remember that we shall all retire.” He argued that the removal of fuel subsidy should have been phased rather than sudden, describing the policy as “anti-human” and noting that “we have rather created more stealing avenues because governors now have more funds to steal.” He called for stronger action against corruption, arguing that perceived impunity among public officials could weaken the morale and confidence of security personnel. On budget padding, he said: “After padding a budget and awarding costs, they’re still not implemented. For example, you put one thousand naira for a water of 100 naira and still do not buy the water.” Ma’aji is currently facing a court martial alongside 35 others over allegations of mutiny and plotting to overthrow the government. He has challenged the jurisdiction of the military tribunal, arguing that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, listed as the complainant, lacks legal capacity to institute criminal proceedings. He also maintains that the allegations do not fall within the offence of mutiny under the Armed Forces Act. The alleged coup plot, investigated by military authorities, identified Ma’aji as one of the principal masterminds and coordinators of the alleged conspiracy. The trial continues.