A Nigerian military colonel, Mohammed Ma’aji, has been identified as the alleged mastermind of the foiled coup aimed at toppling President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
As reported by Daily Post, the attempted coup, reportedly carried out in October 2025, triggered nationwide tension. While authorities initially dismissed the reports, the Defence Headquarters later confirmed on Monday, January 26, that about 16 military officers were involved in the plot.
Colonel Ma’aji topped the list of the 16 officers named by the panel set up to investigate the matter, confirming earlier reports that he led the failed coup attempt.
Ma’aji is known to have served as a security adviser to Timi Sylva during the 2015 Bayelsa State governorship election. He was born in 1976 to Nupe parents in Niger State and is an alumnus of the 47th regular course at the Nigerian Defence Academy.
His military career includes a posting as Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State, before being redeployed to Koko, the headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area in Delta State, in 2017.