Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, who is standing trial as a principal suspect in an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has told investigators that repeated denial of promotion to the rank of brigadier general pushed him toward supporting a military takeover.
According to his statement, Ma’aji said his efforts to rally support for a coup began in 2023, motivated by frustration over being repeatedly overlooked for promotion, worsening insecurity across the country, and what he described as the declining welfare of serving and retired military personnel.
Documents obtained by Premium Times indicate that the Niger State-born officer’s grievances date back to the final months of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration after he failed to secure a promotion he believed he had earned. He also cited growing dissatisfaction among military officers and deteriorating conditions within the armed forces as factors that influenced his actions.
Ma’aji disclosed that military authorities became aware of his activities in 2023 when he was invited to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) following allegations that some politicians intended to use him to disrupt the 2023 general elections.
He said his mobile phone was seized for forensic examination, but after investigators found no incriminating evidence, he was released with what he described as a verbal apology.
According to him, his resolve strengthened after he was denied promotion for a second time in 2024. He claimed that younger officers encouraged him to revive the movement, expressing fears that he could be forced into early retirement and that such an outcome would eventually be regretted.
Ma’aji was arrested on September 29, 2025, in what he described as a carefully orchestrated sting operation by senior military authorities, who allegedly exploited his desire for promotion to lure him into custody.
Recounting the events leading to his arrest, he said he received a 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. A short while later, Oluyede reportedly called again, urging him to arrive quickly because they wanted to discuss his long-delayed promotion.
Ma’aji further alleged that the Army Chief asked whether he had been in contact with retired Major General A. Mohammed, popularly known as “Bandect,” reinforcing his belief that the meeting centred on his promotion.
“I drove immediately to Niger Barracks House 12 with very high morale because I was excited that my promotion issue was finally receiving attention,” he recalled.
Investigators, however, maintain that by that time the alleged coup plot had already advanced significantly, with operational plans, fundraising, weapons mobilisation and logistics allegedly in place.
According to Ma’aji, the meeting initially focused on his promotion, with Oluyede questioning him about his military career, training courses and performance, while assuring him that his promotion would soon be approved.
He said the atmosphere changed after the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, arrived and instructed him to accompany him to collect a message intended for retired Major General Bandect.
Ma’aji also alleged that before leaving, Oluyede handed him $1,000 as welfare support and directed him to travel with the Defence Intelligence chief.
Believing he was merely delivering a message, he accompanied Undiandeye to the Defence Intelligence Agency headquarters, where he said he was taken before Brigadier General Nicholas Ashinze, Director of Operations.
According to him, questioning began immediately over the alleged coup plot.
“It was there he started asking me about the plot involving myself, Lt. Felix, Lt. Col. Bappah and others,” he stated.
Ma’aji said he initially denied involvement until investigators informed him that one of the alleged co-conspirators, Lieutenant S.S. Felix, had already been arrested while Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah was on the run.
“That was how the investigation commenced on 29 September 2025 till today,” he added.
He appealed for leniency for the other suspects, saying they had admitted their mistakes during the investigation and insisting that their actions were motivated by patriotism rather than personal gain.
Ma’aji also urged the military authorities to improve the welfare of personnel, citing economic hardship, poor accommodation, inadequate welfare packages and declining morale among officers and soldiers. He further called for the establishment of safe internal channels through which military personnel could express grievances without fear of victimisation.
The alleged coup plot first became public in October 2025 after SaharaReporters reported that 16 senior military officers had been detained over an alleged plan to overthrow President Tinubu’s government.
Subsequent investigations expanded the list of suspects to include serving and retired military officers, civilians, a police inspector and an employee of the Presidential Villa accused of assisting with reconnaissance.
Following months of investigations, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the existence of the alleged coup plot and announced that serving military personnel implicated would face trial by court-martial, while retired officers and civilians would be prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case also triggered significant changes within the military hierarchy, including the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade and a major reshuffle of the Armed Forces’ senior leadership.
