News
Suspicion In The Military As More Details Emerge of Alleged Plot to Overthrow Tinubu
An Elite Network Under Suspicion
Sources revealed that 12 of the 14 Army officers are from the Infantry Corps, the battle-hardened backbone of the military trained for ground combat operations. One officer serves in the Signals Corps, which oversees communications, and another in the Ordnance Corps, responsible for the storage and maintenance of weaponry and military hardware.
Investigations also indicate that most of the detained officers belong to the 56 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) — a group that trained between September 2004 and October 2008. Six of them, including four Lieutenant Colonels and two Majors, were reportedly among the first to be picked up in the early wave of arrests.
Military insiders disclosed that 15 of the 16 officers hail from Nigeria’s North-central, North-east, and North-west zones, with the only exception being a Lieutenant from the South-west, the most junior among them.The ‘Bloody’ Plot That Shook Aso Rock
The alleged coup, according to PREMIUM TIMES, was not a mere whisper of discontent—it was a meticulously planned insurrection that sought to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, among other top government officials.
A military source described the plan as “bloody and coordinated,” adding that intelligence operatives intercepted sensitive communications and movements that prompted immediate arrests.
Though the Defence Headquarters did not categorically confirm the coup allegation, it described the ongoing probe as “a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism within the ranks.”
A Sudden Shake-Up at the Top
Barely weeks after the first arrests, President Tinubu announced a sweeping reshuffle of the Armed Forces’ high command, an action that caught many political observers off guard.
In what was widely interpreted as a decisive response to the brewing crisis, General Olufemi Oluyede, the former Chief of Army Staff, was elevated to Chief of Defence Staff, while Major-General Waidi Shaibu became the new Chief of Army Staff.
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas were appointed Chiefs of Air and Naval Staff, respectively.
However, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The presidency offered no official link between the leadership shake-up and the alleged coup, but security analysts insist the timing was far from coincidental.
Covert Arrests and Political Ripples
The dragnet has since expanded. Security sources confirmed that more arrests are being made quietly as investigators trace connections among officers and possible civilian collaborators.
In a startling twist, Sahara Reporters revealed that operatives allegedly from the Defence Headquarters raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother, who serves as his personal aide.
Mr. Sylva swiftly distanced himself from the coup allegations. Through his spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, the former governor stated:
“Chief Sylva has no involvement whatsoever—either in planning or logistics—with any such plot.”
Bokoru added that his principal was abroad for medical treatment and scheduled to attend a conference in Malaysia.
He described the raid as “unprovoked and unjustified,” lamenting that no explanation was given for the intrusion.
Unanswered Questions
As investigations deepen, the nation watches closely. Why were the arrests handled in secrecy? How deep does the alleged network of conspirators go? And what does this mean for the stability of the Armed Forces?
For now, one fact remains clear — Nigeria’s barracks are restless, and Aso Rock is on high alert as the shadows of an aborted coup continue to darken the corridors of power.
Source: Premium Times
The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has condemned the alleged rape, severe domestic violence, mob torture and attempted murder of a 34-year-old mother of six in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.
WACOL, in a statement signed by its Senior Communication Officer, Ezugwu Bethel, said it received the reports with “profound shock, outrage and deep sorrow,” describing the incident as a gross violation of human dignity, fundamental human rights and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2019 of Enugu State.
According to the organisation, the survivor had allegedly endured years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, who reportedly physically assaulted her and her mother.
WACOL said the woman, in an attempt to escape the abuse, rented a separate apartment, but her husband allegedly tracked her down and attacked her on the night of July 17, forcing her to flee to her mother’s residence.
The organisation alleged that the husband followed her there and threatened to kill her if she remained, forcing her to seek refuge with a male palm kernel trader.
According to WACOL, because the trader was married, he took the woman to a friend’s house for temporary shelter. However, the organisation alleged that the friend and another resident connived to restrain the trader and raped the woman.
WACOL further alleged that the attackers subsequently locked the woman and the trader inside the house before informing her husband of their whereabouts.
The organisation claimed that the husband arrived with a mob, broke down the door and allegedly subjected the woman and the trader to severe physical abuse.
It alleged that the husband publicly raped the woman while members of the mob restrained the trader, who had reportedly attempted to help her.
WACOL further alleged that the husband took the woman’s money, used it to buy drinks for youths and other members of the community, and allegedly incited them to attack the woman and the trader.
The organisation said the mob stripped the two victims naked, spat on them and beat them severely. It further alleged that some female members of the mob used broken bottles to shave the woman’s hair, while the victims were also allegedly inflicted with multiple cutlass wounds.
According to WACOL, the severely injured woman was subsequently dragged into an “evil forest” and abandoned.
The organisation said the woman spent three days in the forest before, despite her injuries, crawling to the main road, where she was discovered by Good Samaritans who contacted her sister and facilitated her rescue.
WACOL said the survivor is currently receiving medical treatment at a police clinic while remaining in hiding for fear of further attacks.
The organisation also raised concerns over the whereabouts of the male palm kernel trader, who was allegedly tortured alongside the survivor, saying his current location remains unknown.
WACOL said the police had arrested the woman’s husband and some female accomplices, but alleged that several other suspects remained at large.
The organisation also expressed concern over alleged interference by community leaders, claiming that the traditional ruler and President General of the community had banished the survivor and her family after they reported the incident to the police.
WACOL described the alleged banishment as victim-blaming and an abuse of power, adding that the community leaders must be held accountable if found to have obstructed justice or aided criminal suspects.
The organisation commended the Enugu State Police Command for its intervention but called on the Commissioner of Police to ensure that all fleeing suspects are arrested and prosecuted.
WACOL also demanded an immediate search and rescue or recovery operation for the missing palm kernel trader.
It further called on the Enugu State Government and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters to investigate the alleged roles of the traditional ruler and President General, while demanding adequate security for the survivor, her sister and other family members.
WACOL said its legal and psychosocial teams had been activated to support the survivor in her recovery and pursuit of justice.
The organisation called on Nigerians, human rights groups and the media to join the campaign for justice for the mother of six.
Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned Nigerian youths against depending on sports betting as a pathway to wealth, saying lasting success can only be achieved through hard work, patience and integrity.
Speaking during a message to members of his congregation, the cleric described betting as a dangerous distraction capable of destroying the future of young people and preventing them from fulfilling their God-given potential.
Oyedepo urged youths to resist the growing temptation of seeking quick riches through gambling, stressing that genuine prosperity is built on diligence, discipline and purposeful living.
“Young people, 9jabet is not the way to financial fortune. Stop wasting your destiny,” he declared.
He emphasised that although the journey to success may sometimes appear slow, honest labour and consistency ultimately produce more enduring rewards than relying on luck or shortcuts.
“It may be slow, but it’s sure,” he added.
The bishop also reflected on his personal life, recalling how his mother’s unwavering faith influenced his decision to become a Christian at the age of 15.
He recounted how he later expressed his gratitude by buying her a car while she was living in the United States, describing the gift as one that brought her immense joy before her passing at the age of 92.
Using the experience to encourage young people, Oyedepo urged them to embrace faith, perseverance and gratitude instead of pursuing instant wealth through betting.
He concluded his message by urging Nigerian youths to rethink their priorities and make choices that would guarantee a brighter future.
“You better wake up,” he said.
Family members have launched a fundraising campaign to repatriate the remains of a Nigerian woman, Christiana Nwosu, who reportedly died of cardiac arrest while visiting the United Kingdom.
The information came on Monday from a GoFundMe appeal signed by Chijioke Metuka on behalf of the Nwosu family.
According to Metuka, Nwosu died on July 19, 2026, leaving her children and loved ones devastated by the sudden loss.
Metuka described the deceased as “a beacon of light, love and warmth” whose passing had created an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who knew her.
The family said its greatest wish was to honour her memory by returning her body to Nigeria for burial, where she would be laid to rest among her extended family and ancestral roots.
The appeal read, “During this time of immense grief, Izuchukwu and his family’s deepest wish is to honour her memory by laying her to rest in her homeland of Nigeria, surrounded by her extended family and roots.
“Repatriating a loved one from the UK to Nigeria comes with significant and unexpected financial burdens.”
However, the family noted that repatriating her remains from the UK would cost about £10,000, covering funeral director fees, specialist repatriation services and documentation, air freight charges, transportation, and funeral and burial expenses in Nigeria.
“We have set up this fund to support Izuchukwu and his family during this incredibly difficult time. Every single donation, no matter the size, will go directly towards covering these repatriation and funeral expenses to help ease the financial strain on the family,” the appeal read.
The organisers appealed to members of the public to support the family through donations or by sharing the fundraising campaign with others.
“If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with others and keeping Izuchukwu and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity and support,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, a sum of £7,941 had been raised out of the £10,000 target.
In February a Nigerian woman, Oluranti Akinyemi, died in the UK shortly after arriving in the country for her son’s graduation ceremony.
Her family had launched a fundraising campaign on JustGiving to raise £20,000 to repatriate her remains to Nigeria and cover related expenses.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
One person has been confirmed dead while three others sustained injuries following the collapse of a three-storey building in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The building, which reportedly housed students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, collapsed on Sunday night, trapping some occupants beneath the rubble.
The injured survivors were rescued and taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital, Oko, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has sealed off the site of the collapsed building, reaffirming its commitment to stricter enforcement of physical planning regulations and the elimination of unsafe construction practices.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary findings indicated structural failure as the likely cause of the collapse.
He announced the immediate closure of the site pending comprehensive investigations and structural integrity assessments.
Ojukwu said the incident would mark a turning point in the enforcement of building regulations across the state, warning that owners and developers of defective or non-compliant structures would face sanctions.
He added that ongoing construction projects would also be subjected to stricter inspections.
The Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, said technical investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse, adding that a team of professionals had been deployed to conduct a comprehensive structural evaluation.
Ezeobi assured residents that recommendations arising from the investigation would be implemented to strengthen the state’s building control system, prevent future occurrences and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said medical personnel and ambulances were immediately deployed to the scene to provide emergency care for the injured.
He said the Ministry of Health worked closely with other emergency response agencies throughout the rescue operation.
Obidike commended the swift and coordinated response of the Anambra State Government and emergency agencies, describing it as crucial to the rescue efforts and the timely medical treatment of the victims.
The Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, Rtd. Capt. Casmir Nwafor, also praised the rapid intervention of the state government and emergency responders, noting that their coordinated efforts helped contain the situation and minimise further risks.
Nwafor urged developers, property owners, institutions and residents to strictly comply with approved building regulations and safety standards, reaffirming the local government’s support for the enforcement of physical planning laws.
An eyewitness, Prince Ifeanyi Ezefunamba, said the building, reportedly occupied by students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, collapsed at about 10:00 p.m. after occupants heard cracking sounds and began evacuating.
He said one survivor, Miss Chioma Akabike, narrowly escaped moments before the building collapsed, while rescue operations commenced immediately.
A traveller who arrived in Abuja aboard an Enugu Air flight has praised the airline for its service, describing the flight as smooth, calm and comfortable despite unfavourable weather conditions.
The traveller, Wordshot Amaechi Ugwele, in a viral social media post said Enugu Air had become a source of pride for the South-East and had significantly improved connectivity between Enugu and other parts of Nigeria.
Ugwele said the airline’s expansion to destinations including Benin and Kano had made air travel more accessible to residents of the region.
He said, “Today, our people can also fly directly from Enugu to Kano, a travel convenience that would have seemed unimaginable not too long ago, until Enugu Air made it a reality.”
Ugwele also commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for what he described as his vision, meticulous planning and disciplined execution in driving development across the state.
According to him, the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, connectivity and economic transformation had contributed to Enugu’s emergence as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing states.
He said the establishment and expansion of Enugu Air demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving transportation and connecting Enugu with other parts of the country and beyond.
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