- Coup: How Plotters Planned to Target Aso Rock, Radio House, Airports
- Strategic targets reportedly included the Presidential Villa, Radio House and airports.
- Defendants have challenged video evidence and statements presented against them.
Fresh details have emerged on how military officers and civilians accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration were assigned specific roles targeting strategic locations in Abuja and other parts of the country.
According to Premium Times, investigative documents presented before the Federal High Court in Abuja reportedly showed that those allegedly involved in the plot were assigned responsibilities ranging from securing the Presidential Villa and Radio House to taking control of military facilities, airports and the residences of senior military officers.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the prosecution has presented additional details of the alleged plan before the court, where some of the accused persons are standing trial.
According to the documents, one of the suspects, identified as Mr Usman, was allegedly assigned to lead the operation at the Presidential Villa after conducting reconnaissance of the complex with the assistance of insiders, including a police officer identified as Ahmed Ibrahim.
During proceedings in May, the prosecution reportedly played a video exhibit in which one of the defendants, Zekeri Umoru, told investigators that the alleged planners considered cutting off electricity to the Presidential Villa when the operation was to be carried out.
Umoru, a Julius Berger Nigeria Plc employee attached to the Maintenance Department at the Villa, reportedly said he warned that an abrupt power outage would immediately raise suspicion and could result in workers on duty being detained and questioned.
He also claimed that the alleged planners intended to recruit between 18 and 19 people from among soldiers, State Security Service operatives and Julius Berger employees working within the Villa.
According to his account, after he raised concerns about the proposed blackout, the alleged leader of the plot considered using force to gain entry into the Villa if insiders failed to cooperate.
However, Umoru and other defendants have challenged the admissibility of the video exhibits and their extra judicial statements, citing the circumstances under which they were obtained.
Radio House, Military Residences Targeted
The documents also reportedly outlined specific assignments allegedly given to other participants in the planned operation.
Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah was allegedly assigned to take control of the 102 Battalion in Zuma, Niger State.
Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim was initially reportedly tasked with securing the Armed Forces Headquarters complex before his assignment was changed to Radio House in Abuja. He was allegedly expected to make a nationwide broadcast announcing the takeover.
Ibrahim reportedly told investigators that Bappah was initially designated to make the announcement before the responsibility was later reassigned to him.
A Nigerian Air Force squadron leader identified as S.B. Adamu was allegedly assigned to seize Air House.
Major Muhammad Jiddah was reportedly tasked with taking control of the residence of the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, while Major Daniel Yusuf was allegedly assigned to target the residence of the then Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa.
Captain Akinwale Yusuf, who was in Lagos, was allegedly expected to take control of a divisional headquarters in the state.
A retired colonel identified as M.M. Adamu, whom authorities said remained at large, was allegedly expected to coordinate activities from the entrance of Niger Barracks in Abuja.
Airports Identified as Key Targets
The documents further indicated that airports were considered crucial to the alleged operation.
Ibrahim reportedly told investigators that the alleged conspirators believed the plan could be undermined if aircraft continued operating normally during the takeover attempt.
According to his statement, the alleged plan included positioning a gun truck on an Abuja airport runway to disrupt flight operations during the operation.
Lieutenant Sunday Felix also reportedly told investigators that he was assigned to conduct surveillance at the Lagos airport, gather operational information and assist in disrupting flight operations on the day the alleged plot was to be executed.
The allegations form part of the evidence presented by the prosecution in the ongoing trial, while the defendants have challenged some of the evidence and statements tendered against them in court.
