News

Policeman Among 36 Security Operatives Detained Over Alleged Coup Plot in Nigeria

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJanuary 27, 2026

A personnel of the Nigeria Police Force has been named among those arrested by military authorities for allegedly plotting to terminate Nigeria’s democracy.

According to SaharaReporters, the officer, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim from Taraba State, was reportedly arrested in Abuja by operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and is currently in the agency’s custody.

While the exact date of his arrest could not be confirmed, sources indicated that information extracted from detained military officers led to his apprehension.

“Yes, among those in DIA’s custody is a policeman. The military officers under detention are 35 (Army, Navy, Air Force) and one policeman identified as Ahmed Ibrahim. Total of 36 security operatives. He was arrested after investigation showed he was involved in the failed attempt,” a military source told SaharaReporters.

Attempts to reach the Police Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of reporting.

This latest development follows reports in October 2025 that several military officers were arrested by the DIA in Abuja over an alleged plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.

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 for the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence to counter security threats, protect national integrity, and support military operations.

Sources previously disclosed that 16 senior military officers, including Nigerian Navy Lieutenant Commander B. Abdullahi, were detained in connection with the alleged plot following coordinated operations and weeks of covert surveillance.

It was reported that at least five of the detained officers fell ill while in custody, with two collapsing due to worsening conditions.

Families have raised concerns over alleged inhumane treatment, prolonged incommunicado detention, and denial of access to lawyers and relatives.

Spouses claimed they were not informed of transfers between detention facilities and barred from visits.

The case has attracted political attention after reports that military operatives raided the Abuja residence of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva. Sylva confirmed the visit but denied any involvement, describing attempts to link him to the investigation as politically motivated.

OSUN DEFENDER reported that despite earlier official denials, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters on Monday, January 26, formally acknowledged that allegations of plotting to overthrow the government were among the findings against some of the detained officers.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.