Abuja, Nigeria — October 28, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
Armed personnel of the Nigerian Army executed a pre-dawn operation at the Maitama residence in Abuja of former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over his alleged involvement in a coup-plot investigation carried out by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Security sources say the raid is linked to intelligence reports that Sylva met secretly with military officers currently detained under suspicion of planning to overthrow the government. One source stated that the operation extended to Sylva’s Bayelsa State home and that his brother, identified as “Paga”, was arrested during the sweep.
Meanwhile, at least 16 senior military officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force are reportedly being held incommunicado by the DIA in an undisclosed location in connection with the broader coup investigation. These officers are described by insiders as being attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The unfolding events signal deeper tensions within Nigeria’s civil-military nexus and political power structures. The involvement of a former minister with high-profile political and resource sector ties adds a complex dimension to what might otherwise be construed as strictly a military disciplinary matter.
The fact that the DIA—rather than the service branches—is leading the detentions suggests either a consolidation of investigative authority or a politically-charged recalibration of accountability. The absence of public disclosures raises serious questions around transparency, due process and the rule of law.
For the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the case may test its ability to manage sensitive security issues without undermining public trust. It also poses risks of factional spill-over within Nigeria’s armed forces and political class if not handled with clarity and fairness.
Though officially unresolved, the raid on Sylva’s home reflects either a show of force or a proactive strike depending on the yet-to-be-publicly-verified facts. In either event, the outcome will speak volumes about Nigeria’s institutional maturity in managing alleged insurrectionist plots.
In the absence of full disclosure, the incident invites speculation and may exacerbate perceptions of politically selective justice. As Nigeria navigates this sensitive terrain, the broader question remains: will accountability be even-handed or become another chapter in the country’s recurring power struggles?