Colonel Ma’aji Alleges Senior Officers Lured Him Into Arrest Using Promotion Promise

A Nigerian Army colonel standing trial over an alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu has told investigators that repeated denial of promotion to brigadier-general drove him to consider overthrowing the government.

Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, described as a prime suspect in the alleged plot, said his agitation for a military takeover began in 2023, fueled by frustration over rising insecurity and the deteriorating welfare of serving and retired personnel.

According to documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the Niger State-born officer’s discontent dates back to the final months of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, after he was denied a promotion he believed he merited. He also cited worsening conditions in the Armed Forces and growing dissatisfaction within the officer corps.

Ma’aji disclosed that military authorities were aware of his activities as early as 2023, when he was summoned to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over allegations that politicians wanted to use him to disrupt the general elections that year.

He said his phone was seized for forensic examination and he was subsequently released with a verbal apology after no evidence was found.

The officer told investigators that his resolve strengthened after a second promotion denial in 2024, adding that some junior officers began urging him to revive the movement.

He said they were concerned he might be forced into early retirement and warned that “everyone would regret it.”

Ma’aji was arrested on September 29, 2025, in what he described as an elaborate sting operation in which senior military officers exploited his ambition for promotion to lure him into custody.

In his account, he received a call from the Chief of Staff to the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, instructing him to report to House 12 at Niger Barracks. Shortly afterwards, Oluyede himself reportedly called, urging him to come quickly to discuss his long-delayed promotion.

The Army chief allegedly asked whether Ma’aji had been in contact with retired Major General A. Mohammed, alias ‘Bandect’, which further convinced him the meeting was about 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.

Unknown to Ma’aji, investigators allege that planning for the coup had already advanced significantly, with operational plans, fundraising, arms mobilisation and logistics in place.

He said the meeting initially focused on his promotion, with Oluyede reviewing his service record and course grades and assuring him that promotion was forthcoming, before the tone changed.

According to Ma’aji, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, then arrived and instructed him to follow him to collect a message for retired Major General Bandect.

Ma’aji claimed Oluyede gave him $1,000 as welfare support before directing him to accompany the intelligence chief.

Believing he was merely delivering a message, he followed Undiandeye to the DIA headquarters, where he said he was taken to Brigadier General Nicholas Ashinze, Director of Operations.

“There he started asking me about the plot involving myself, Lt. Felix, Lt. Col. Bappah and others,” he said.

He initially denied involvement, but investigators informed him that one alleged co-conspirator, 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 appealed for leniency for the other suspects, saying they had acknowledged their mistakes during interrogation and insisting their motivation was patriotic rather than for personal gain.

He also called for improved welfare for troops, citing economic hardship, poor accommodation, inadequate benefits and declining morale among officers and soldiers, and warned that frustration within the ranks was growing. He urged the military to establish safe internal channels for personnel to air grievances without fear of victimisation.

The alleged coup plot first came to public attention in October 2025, when SaharaReporters reported that 16 senior officers had been detained over an alleged plan to topple President Tinubu’s government.

Subsequent investigations expanded the list of suspects to include serving and retired officers, civilians, a police inspector and a staff member of the Presidential Villa accused of aiding reconnaissance.

After months of investigation, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the existence of the alleged plot and announced that serving personnel implicated would be tried by court-martial, while retired officers and civilians would be prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The affair also prompted significant changes in the military command structure, including the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade and a major reshuffle of the Armed Forces’ top leadership.