Nigerian authorities have formally charged six individuals, including a retired major-general and a serving police inspector, with terrorism and treason over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, according to court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The accused were all in custody as of Tuesday, while a seventh suspect, former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, remains at large. He is accused of helping to conceal details of the alleged conspiracy.
In a 13-count charge sheet, prosecutors allege that the suspects conspired to wage war against the state in a bid to remove the president. The charges include treason and terrorism-related offenses, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations.
Those named in the case include retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani.
Authorities also allege that the group provided indirect but knowing support to Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji and others to carry out acts of terrorism. Ma’aji has previously been identified in Nigerian media reports as the suspected mastermind behind the plot.
Government response and regional implications
The charges follow months of uncertainty and conflicting official statements. The government had initially dismissed reports of a coup attempt, even as speculation grew following the arrest of several military officers in 2025.
Those arrests, involving a group of 16 officers, were initially described by military authorities as disciplinary measures tied to breaches of service regulations. However, the narrative shifted in January when officials confirmed that some personnel were being investigated for allegedly planning to overthrow the government.
Shortly after denying the existence of a coup plot, President Tinubu carried out a sweeping reshuffle of top military leadership, a move widely interpreted by analysts as an effort to consolidate control and reinforce loyalty within the armed forces.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has experienced a turbulent political history marked by five coups during the 20th century. Since transitioning to civilian rule in 1999, the country has maintained democratic governance without a successful military takeover.
The current case emerges against a backdrop of rising instability in parts of West and Central Africa, where a series of coups and attempted coups have been recorded in recent years, including incidents in Benin and Guinea-Bissau late last year.
Experts say the resurgence of military interventions often reflects deeper structural challenges, including disputed elections, constitutional tensions, persistent security threats and growing dissatisfaction among young populations.
While Nigerian authorities have not publicly detailed the full scope of the alleged plot, the charges signal a firm stance against threats to constitutional order. The outcome of the case is likely to be closely watched both domestically and internationally, as it could shape perceptions of political stability in one of Africa’s most influential nations.
The Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to set a date for further proceedings as the case moves forward.
