Retired General, Son Arrested Over 'Coup Plot' Against Tinubu

Retired General, Son Arrested Over ‘Coup Plot’ Against Tinubu
Thirty five military officers and civilians remain in detention.
Defence Headquarters confirms investigations into overthrow allegations.

A retired Army General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, has been arrested alongside serving military officers and civilians over an alleged plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Gana, a Niger State indigene and the Danmagayaki of Nupe, was reportedly arrested about one week after his son, Lieutenant Colonel Sadiq Ibrahim Gana, was taken into custody by military intelligence operatives.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Lt. Col. Ibrahim Gana, who served as the Commanding Officer of the 115 Battalion in Askira, Borno State, is among the 35 military personnel currently being detained in connection with the alleged coup plot.

Military sources said the retired general is believed to have close ties with Colonel Alhassan Ma’aji, identified by investigators as the alleged mastermind of the foiled plot.

A military source said, “A retired Army General, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, was arrested. He is said to be the one who helped the alleged mastermind of the coup, Colonel Alhassan Ma’aji, gain admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in August 1995.”

The source added that while no direct role has been traced to the retired general beyond his relationship with Ma’aji, investigators believe he may have been aware of the alleged plot.

The same source said Lt. Col. Ibrahim Gana was arrested despite being actively involved in counter insurgency operations in the North East.

“Nothing was traced to him as well, as he was busy fighting Boko Haram in Borno, but they still believed he had a link with the coup plotters,” the source said.

Several civilians have also been arrested, including mechanics accused of repairing vehicles allegedly used by the plotters. A staff member of Julius Berger was also reportedly detained.

Among the 35 detained military officers are one Brigadier General, two Colonels, five Lieutenant Colonels, one Wing Commander, eight Majors, one Navy Lieutenant Commander, two Squadron Leaders, five Captains and one Lieutenant. Ten non commissioned officers are also in custody.

Retired General Arrested Over 'Coup Plot' — Retired General Arrested Over ‘Coup Plot’

The detentions have raised concerns among families, with reports that some officers fell ill in custody. The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that investigations uncovered allegations of a plot and said affected officers would face appropriate military judicial panels.