By Suleiman Anyalewechi
As the trial of the alleged masterminds of a coup plot to oust President Bola Tinubu continues, an insight into its operational dynamics and power sharing arrangements have been provided by a document linked to the panel investigating the plot.
According to the document cited by Premium Times, while the plotters had planned to install their leader, Col Mohammed Ma’aji, as the Head of State, one of the key figures in the alleged would-have-been putsch, Lt Col Shamsddeen Bappah, opted to head the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.
Similarly, the duo of Major Iliyasu Jamilu and Lt Sunday Felix requested to be appointed as an Aide-de-camp ADC to the in-coming Commander-in-Chief, and a Minister respectively.
As it is customary, the about 7,400 page investigative report by the panel revealed that the promoters of the coup plot had equally outlined several operational steps designed to wrest complete control of some strategic military formations and institutions, including the Aso Rock Villa.
The document revealed that members of the group were assigned specific duties, including the take over of some critical military formations and national assets such as airports, strategic military formations, and broadcast stations.
The panel quoted one of the suspects, Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim, as saying that the plotters had planned to execute the final take-over operation between the wee hours of 1 am and 2 am tentatively of September 27, or October 1 or October 4, 2025.
However, according to the findings of the Panel, the group could not settle for a final date, owing to the non-conclusion of the plot before being intercepted.
The Panel further disclosed that Major Ibrahim informed that the final execution date was made dependent on the availability of all necessary logistical support, including loyal troops , weapons ,and other critical resources.
The document claimed that Usman himself was assigned the important duty of leading the assault on the Presidential Villa after due surveillance and reconnaissance of the critical security architecture.
Although the measure was said to have been opposed owing to its potential to give away the plot and raise unnecessary suspicion, the coupist had planned to cut off power supply to the Presidential Villa minutes before launching the operation.
One Zekeri Umoru ,an employee of the Construction giant, Julius Berger, was said to have reasoned that the idea of throwing the nation’s seat of power into complete darkness will naturally trigger the alarm bell.
Apparently for critical logistical support and back-up, including reinforcement during the execution of the plot, Lt Col Bappah was assigned the task of manning the 102 Army battalion in Zuma in Niger state, but close to Abuja.
The document revealed that for effective take over, and control, other members of the group were detailed to man and secure Air House, Military formations and facilities in Lagos, as well as the residences of designated top military brass.
Furthermore ,the panel in its report stated that while the plotters had planned to mobilise troops and other logistical items including weapons and ammunition from several military formations, the leader of the group had hoped to immediately reshuffle the Armed Forces with the appointment of new Service Chiefs to replace the incumbents most of whom were said to had been earmarked for elimination.
According to the Panel’s report, to effectively secure their position ,and avoid a possible counter coup, the plotters were said to have made contingent moves to ban movements in and out of the country for the first few days of the operation.
Investigators also disclosed that the plotters, as is normal in top security plans and operations, made use of coded words in their communication.
To divert attention ,they were said to have referred to themselves as “farmers”, as well as the plot itself as “farming”
Similarly, while fertiliser was used in reference to logistical items including weapons and troops, “harvest” referred to the day of execution of the coup.
The document also contain outlined such other activities like statements obtained from the alleged coup plotters, their bank details, private notes, communication note, as well as other vital records linked to the scheme.
The Source reports that Col Ma’aji, Lt Col Bappah, Major Ibrahim ,and one Col M M Adamu (rtd) had earlier been identified as ringleaders.of the alleged plot .
Meanwhile,the accused persons, apart pleading their innocence, have insisted that whatever statements being brandished by the Panel were obtained from them under duress.
Consequently, they have objected to the court and Court Martial presently entertaining the cases, admitting the document in question in evidence.
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