Nigeria’s investigation into a suspected coup attempt has entered a decisive phase, with at least 30 suspects, including senior military officers, slated for prosecution after weeks of questioning by security agencies.
According to sources, a preliminary report from the Special Investigative Panel has been completed and will soon be presented to President Bola Tinubu.
The report lists more than 30 individuals to be charged, while seven others remain unaccounted for.
“Their phones have been switched off, and they could not be located,” a source said, confirming an ongoing manhunt.
The probe, led by Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, is expected to determine whether the accused will face military or civilian courts based on their ranks and affiliations.
The Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs are scheduled to meet before briefing the president.
Earlier reports revealed that 16 senior officers were arrested in September after intelligence indicated secret meetings aimed at toppling the government.
Fourteen are from the Army, and two from the Navy and Air Force. The identities of the new suspects remain undisclosed.
Among those linked to the case is former Bayelsa governor and ex-minister of petroleum, Timipre Sylva, whose Abuja residence was recently searched by soldiers.
His spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, denied any connection to the alleged plot, saying Sylva was out of the country at the time.
While the Defence Headquarters initially described the arrests as an internal disciplinary action, sources suggest a formal statement may soon be issued on the investigation’s outcome.
Security reports earlier indicated that the alleged plotters had targeted key government figures, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In the aftermath, President Tinubu ordered sweeping changes within the military leadership, though no official link has been made to the coup investigation.
