Fresh but unconfirmed details have emerged regarding the alleged coup plot uncovered by Nigerian military authorities, with one of the principal suspects, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, reportedly admitting that worsening insecurity, corruption, economic hardship, and dissatisfaction with key government policies motivated the alleged plan to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to reports attributed to court documents cited by Premium Times, Ma’aji outlined what he described as the grievances that allegedly drove discussions among a group of military officers said to have contemplated unconstitutional intervention in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The authenticity of the reported confession has not been independently verified by KTH Daily, while the Nigerian military authorities have yet to publicly comment on the specific claims attributed to the officer.
According to the report, Ma’aji said conversations about military intervention began in 2023, towards the closing months of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
He reportedly claimed that the security situation had deteriorated significantly during that period, while corruption and nepotism had become deeply entrenched.
“Things particularly got out of control towards the end of Buhari’s administration when corruption and nepotism became the order of the day,” he was quoted as saying.
The officer allegedly stated that members of the group believed the military hierarchy had failed to respond adequately to the worsening security situation, prompting them to identify officers who shared similar concerns.
According to the reported statement, those allegedly involved considered themselves patriots acting in what they believed to be the national interest.
“Most of the officers involved share the same sense of patriotism, love of country, and genuine desire for positive change,” he reportedly wrote.
The report further claimed that the alleged plot initially stalled because of inadequate funding, logistics, and insufficient manpower.
Ma’aji was said to have told investigators that he personally financed much of the early planning, while claiming that one Army major allegedly contributed N1 million and another officer reportedly provided foreign currency on several occasions.
According to the report, renewed efforts to pursue the alleged plot came after Ma’aji failed for a second time to secure promotion to the rank of Brigadier General in 2024.
However, he reportedly insisted that his failure to gain promotion was not the principal motivation behind the alleged coup plan.
Instead, the report said he cited widespread dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange liberalisation, new tax measures, rising electricity tariffs, corruption, insecurity, and worsening economic hardship.
The officer also reportedly referred to the Federal Government’s handling of major public protests, including the #EndSARS demonstrations and the #EndBadGovernance protests, claiming that unemployment and deteriorating living conditions had deepened frustration among many young Nigerians.
The reported disclosures add a new dimension to the ongoing investigation into the alleged coup conspiracy, although the claims remain allegations that are expected to be tested during judicial proceedings.
Neither the Presidency nor the Federal Government had officially responded to the specific claims attributed to Ma’aji as of the time of filing this report.
The Nigerian military has consistently reaffirmed its loyalty to the Constitution and the democratically elected government, maintaining that it remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s democratic order and constitutional governance.
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