One of the principal suspects in the alleged coup plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji of the Nigerian Army has told investigators that he got involved in an alleged plot as a result of worsening insecurity, corruption, economic hardship and poor governance.
Ma’aji, who is facing allegations of coup plot along other security personnel, was arrested in September 2025 following investigations into an alleged coup plot, said the objective of the plot was to “save” Nigeria from further decline.
Col Ma’aji’s account is contained in interrogation statements published by Premium Times from documents relating to the investigation of the coup plot.
The documents reportedly include bank records, financial transactions, hotel receipts, electronic communications and statements from other individuals questioned by military investigators.
The allegations contained in the documents have however, not been established as facts even as it was gathered that Colonel Ma’aji and other defendants have denied any wrong doing.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the courts are still considering the admissibility of some interrogation statements with a view to determine the guilt or innocence of those facing trial.
Ma’aji was quoted to have told his interrogators that the idea of military intervention commenced towards the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2023, saying that insecurity, kidnapping, banditry and corruption had reached alarming levels.
The Colonel also told investigators that he expected senior military officers to intervene, but was disappointed by what their inaction within the military hierarchy.
He was quoted as having said; “It was expected that the higher hierarchy of the military could have acted to save the situation. Unfortunately, there was no action from the top”.
Ma’aji explained that he subsequently began identifying military officers who shared his concerns and could potentially participate in the movement, stressing that officers allegedly involved were motivated by patriotism and a desire for “positive change”.
He also explained that the initial plan was eventually abandoned because the group lacked sufficient funding, logistics and manpower even as he claimed to have personally financed much of the activity through the sale of three houses in Kaduna State and a students’ hostel at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Ma’aji however said that the alleged movement was revived in 2024 after he failed for a second time to secure promotion to the rank of Brigadier General, adding that one Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah was one of the officers who allegedly encouraged him to revive the plan.
Colonel Ma’aji said meetings were subsequently held at different locations in Abuja, including Brookville Hotel and Greenland Hotel in Lokogoma.
He however, rejected suggestion that his failed promotion was the primary motivation for the alleged coup plot, insisting that worsening economic and security conditions under the Tinubu administration were the main motivations.
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In the words of Ma’aji; “Fuel subsidy removal, the floating of the naira, taxation, electricity tariff increases, corruption, insecurity, the government’s handling of youth protests and the condition of military personnel and veterans were the driving forces”.
He also said that many Nigerian youths were frustrated by unemployment, lack of economic opportunities and uncertainty about their future, adding that soldiers wounded during military operations were abandoned without adequate support.
Ma’aji insisted that his actions were not driven by personal ambition, saying; “This has nothing to do with any ambition or personal goals. It is purely out of the desire for a prosperous country that works for everyone”.
He also told his interrogators that discussions allegedly took place over recruitment, funding and logistics, adding that the proposed operation included the arrest of senior military officers and was expected to take place at night.
Ma’aji however, said that preparations had not been completed and that no specific date had been fixed for the alleged operation.
In his words; “There was no D-Day. We were waiting for the availability of resources and more officers and soldiers. The movement was still being developed”.
