A Nigerian police officer has been arrested and detained by military authorities in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.
The officer, identified as Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim from Taraba State, was reportedly taken into custody in Abuja by operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Details of his arrest were linked to information obtained from detained military personnel.
A military source stated, “Yes, among those in DIA custody is a policeman. The detained officers include 35 military personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and one police officer, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim. He was arrested after investigations implicated him in the alleged failed attempt.”
Attempts to reach the Police Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, for comment were unsuccessful.
This development follows reports from October 2025, when several military officers were arrested by the DIA over a suspected plot against President Tinubu. The case is being handled by the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Lieutenant General Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye.
The DIA, Nigeria’s primary military intelligence agency established in 1986, is tasked with gathering intelligence to safeguard national security and support military operations, including counter-terrorism efforts.
Sources have disclosed that the detained officers, including a Nigerian Navy Lieutenant Commander B. Abdullahi, were held in covert operations following weeks of surveillance. Some of the officers reportedly fell ill in detention, with two collapsing due to worsening conditions, and families have raised concerns over prolonged incommunicado detention, denial of lawyer access, and restricted visitation.
The investigation has also drawn political attention after military operatives reportedly raided the Abuja residence of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who confirmed the visit but denied any involvement, calling the linkage politically motivated.
On January 26, 2026, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters formally acknowledged that allegations of a plot to overthrow the government were among the findings against some of the detained officers.
