Summary
Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji told investigators repeated denial of promotion pushed him toward an alleged coup plot.
He claimed worsening welfare and insecurity also influenced his actions.
The officer said he was lured into arrest with a promise that his promotion would finally be approved.
Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, one of the key suspects facing trial over the alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's administration, has claimed that repeated denial of promotion to the rank of brigadier general played a major role in his decision to support plans to overthrow the government. Read original
According to interrogation records obtained by Premium Times, the Niger State-born officer said his dissatisfaction began in 2023 after he became convinced that the military leadership had overlooked him for promotion despite his qualifications. He also cited worsening insecurity across the country and poor welfare for serving and retired military personnel as factors that fueled his frustration.
Ma’aji told investigators that his concerns dated back to the closing period of former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, when he first failed to secure promotion. He claimed the disappointment, coupled with growing dissatisfaction among some officers, encouraged discussions about a possible military takeover.
The colonel disclosed that military authorities became aware of his activities in 2023 when he was invited to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over allegations that politicians wanted to use him to disrupt the 2023 general elections.
According to him, investigators confiscated his mobile phone for forensic analysis before releasing him after finding no evidence against him.
"I was released with a verbal apology because there was no evidence," Ma’aji said.
He added that his determination reportedly grew stronger after missing promotion for a second time in 2024.
"When I missed my second attempt at promotion to brigadier general in 2024, some of the boys started disturbing and calling on me that we needed to revive the movement again. They were afraid that I might be retired prematurely and that all of us would regret it," he told investigators.
Ma’aji said he was eventually arrested on September 29, 2025, following what he described as a carefully planned operation by senior military officers.
According to his account, he received a call from the Chief of Staff to the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, asking him to report to House 12 at Niger Barracks. He claimed Oluyede later spoke with him directly, saying they needed to discuss his long-awaited promotion.
The officer said he was further convinced the invitation was genuine after being asked whether he had spoken with retired Major General A. Mohammed, popularly known as "Bandect."
"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 said.
Investigators, however, alleged that by then the suspected coup plot had already progressed significantly, with plans covering logistics, fundraising, weapons mobilisation and operational strategies.
Ma’aji claimed discussions initially focused on his promotion before the meeting changed direction. He said Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, later arrived and instructed him to accompany him to the DIA headquarters to collect a message for retired Major General Bandect.
He further alleged that before leaving, the Army chief handed him 1,000 US dollars as welfare support and asked him to travel with the intelligence chief.
According to Ma’aji, he followed the official to the DIA headquarters, believing he was simply delivering a message. Instead, 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, Lt. Felix, Lt. Col. Bappah and others," he stated.
The colonel said he initially denied any involvement until investigators informed him that one of the alleged 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 till today," he added.
Ma’aji also appealed for leniency for the other suspects, insisting they had acknowledged their mistakes during the investigation.
He maintained that the alleged actions were driven by patriotism rather than personal ambition and urged authorities to improve the welfare of military personnel.
According to him, many officers and soldiers are battling poor living conditions, inadequate housing, weak welfare packages and declining morale. He also called for internal channels that would allow military personnel to raise concerns without fear of punishment.
The alleged coup plot became public in October 2025 after reports emerged that 16 senior military officers had been arrested over plans 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 a Presidential Villa staff member accused of assisting with reconnaissance.
Following months of investigation, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that serving military personnel implicated in the alleged conspiracy would face court martial, while retired officers and civilians would be prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The investigation also led to major changes within the Armed Forces, including the cancellation of Nigeria's October 1 Independence Day parade and a reshuffle of the military's top command.
