 has detained a social media user, identified as Innocent Chukwuma, for allegedly inciting the){kind=link}
The Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a social media user, identified as Innocent Chukwuma, for allegedly inciting the Nigerian military to topple the federal government through his online posts.
According to security sources, Chukwuma was tracked and arrested by DSS operatives in Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after repeatedly using his account on X (formerly Twitter) to call for a coup against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In a series of posts under the handle @TheAgroman, Chukwuma reportedly urged the Nigerian military to “suspend the government” and “reset the country.”
His messages, which quickly gained attention online, also accused the current administration of “selling Nigeria to the West” and claimed that only the military could “restore the nation’s integrity.”
A top intelligence officer familiar with the case said the suspect is “cooperating fully” with investigators.
“He is providing useful information that could help identify others who might be involved in spreading similar inciting messages,” the officer said.
However, security analysts have since warned that such calls for unconstitutional change of government constitute serious national security threats.
A political risk expert, Dr Olisa Nwokorie, told reporters that “any attempt to undermine democratic institutions, whether online or offline, must be treated as treasonous.”
Meanwhile, separate investigations have uncovered possible financial links to an alleged coup plot involving senior government figures.
Intelligence sources confirmed that the Managing Director of a federal agency in the South-South region was arrested for allegedly transferring a large sum of money to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
One source explained that investigators believe the fund transfer “may have been intended to support subversive activities,” though inquiries are still ongoing.
“The MD is being questioned to determine the purpose of the transaction and its possible connection to the coup financing theory,” the source added.
Further reports revealed that DSS and military operatives raided Sylva’s Abuja residence on Saturday, arresting his younger brother, Paga Sylva, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, along with his driver.
Sylva, a former Bayelsa governor and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) member, was reportedly out of the country at the time of the operation.
“He was said to be preparing to return to Nigeria but stayed back abroad after learning of the ongoing arrests linked to the coup probe,” another insider disclosed.
The DSS has yet to issue an official statement regarding both arrests.
However, sources within the agency say that more suspects may be invited as part of the broader investigation into the alleged conspiracy against the state.
Meanwhile, security experts applauded the swift action of the DSS, emphasising the importance of vigilance in preventing threats to national stability.
“Nigeria’s democracy is still growing, and we must not allow reckless rhetoric or hidden agendas to push the country into chaos,” said retired military officer Col. Haruna Mohammed (rtd).