Failed Coup: Colonel Says Repeated Promotion Denials Drove Him to Plot Against Tinubu

Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, one of the principal suspects standing trial over the alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has told investigators that repeated denial of promotion to the rank of brigadier general left him frustrated and contributed to his decision to support plans for a military takeover.

According to interrogation statements obtained by Premium Times, the Niger State-born officer said his dissatisfaction began towards the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration after he was overlooked for promotion despite believing he had earned advancement.

Ma’aji claimed that his growing frustration coincided with mounting concerns over worsening insecurity across the country and what he described as poor welfare for serving and retired military personnel.

He told investigators that by 2023, he had started canvassing support for a change of government through military intervention, arguing that the armed forces’ leadership had failed to address the challenges confronting both the military and the nation.

The officer disclosed that military authorities first became aware of his activities in 2023, when he was invited by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over allegations that politicians intended to use him to disrupt the general elections.

According to his statement, his mobile phone was confiscated for forensic analysis before he was later released.

“I was released with a verbal apology because there was no evidence,” he reportedly told investigators.

Ma’aji said his disappointment deepened after he was again denied promotion in 2024.

“When I missed my second attempt at promotion to brigadier general in 2024, some of the boys started calling me, saying we needed to revive the movement,” he said.

“They feared I could be retired prematurely and believed we would all regret allowing that to happen.”

The colonel was eventually arrested on 29 September 2025 following what he described as a carefully orchestrated operation by senior military officers, who allegedly used the promise of promotion to lure him into custody.

According to his account, he received a telephone call from the Chief of Staff to the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, directing him to report to House 12 at the Niger Barracks.

He said Oluyede later called personally, urging him to come immediately because discussions about his long-delayed promotion were to take place.

Ma’aji added that the Army chief also asked whether he had been in contact with retired Major General A. Mohammed, popularly known as “Bandect”, further convincing him that the invitation genuinely concerned his career progression.

“I drove immediately to House 12 at the Niger Barracks in high spirits because I believed my promotion issue was finally being addressed,” he said.

However, investigators alleged that by then, the purported coup plot had advanced significantly, with operational plans, fundraising strategies, weapons mobilisation and logistics already mapped out.

Ma’aji claimed that discussions initially centred on his promotion, with the Army chief reviewing his service record and course performance while assuring him that he would soon be elevated.

He said the meeting later took an unexpected turn when the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, arrived and instructed him to accompany him to his office to collect a message for retired Major General Bandect.

Before leaving, Ma’aji alleged that Oluyede handed him 1,000 US dollars as welfare support and directed him to travel with the intelligence chief.

Believing he was simply delivering a message, he followed Undiandeye to the Defence Intelligence Agency headquarters.

On arrival, however, he said he was taken to the office of Brigadier General Nicholas Ashinze, Director of Operations at the DIA, where he was immediately questioned over the alleged coup plot.

“It was there he started asking me about the plot involving myself, Lieutenant Felix, Lieutenant Colonel Bappah and others,” Ma’aji stated.

The officer said he initially denied any knowledge of the alleged conspiracy until investigators informed him that one of the suspected conspirators, Lieutenant S.S. Felix, had already been arrested, while Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah had gone into hiding.

“That was how the investigation commenced on 29 September 2025 and has continued until today,” he said.

In his statement, Ma’aji appealed for leniency towards the other suspects, insisting they had reflected on their actions during the investigation.

He claimed the alleged plot was driven by what he described as patriotism and a desire to improve the country’s fortunes rather than personal ambition.

The colonel also used the opportunity to urge the authorities to improve the welfare of military personnel, warning that many officers and soldiers were grappling with economic hardship, inadequate accommodation, poor welfare packages and declining morale.

He further recommended the creation of confidential internal channels through which military personnel could raise grievances without fear of intimidation or victimisation.

The alleged coup plot became public in October 2025 after SaharaReporters exclusively reported the arrest of 16 senior military officers over claims of a plan to overthrow President Tinubu’s government.

Subsequent investigations widened the list of suspects to include serving and retired military officers, civilians, a police inspector and a worker at the Presidential Villa alleged to have assisted with reconnaissance operations.

Following months of investigation, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the existence of the alleged conspiracy, announcing that serving military personnel implicated in the case would face court martial, while retired officers and civilian suspects would be prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The alleged plot also prompted major developments within the armed forces, including the cancellation of Nigeria’s 1 October Independence Day parade and a significant reshuffle of the military’s top command.