- the raid was linked to ongoing investigations into an alleged coup plot
- there has been no official statement from the Defence Headquarters
- credible intelligence linking certain political figures to the alleged coup plot
The Defence Headquarters and Nigerian Army have remained silent amid reports that soldiers allegedly raided the Abuja home of former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the unconfirmed reports circulating on social media claimed that the operation was carried out by a special military team in the early hours of Tuesday at Sylva’s residence in Maitama, Abuja.
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According to the claims, the raid was linked to ongoing investigations into an alleged coup plot involving some detained military officers, though military spokespersons Brigadier General Tukur Gusau and Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele could not be reached for comment.
Citing unnamed sources, the reports alleged that soldiers ransacked Sylva’s residence after intelligence suggested his connection to a series of secret meetings with some of the detained officers.
It also claimed that Sylva had left the country before the raid, while his brother, identified as Paga, was taken into custody.
Another security source reportedly described the raid as a targeted operation based on “credible intelligence linking certain political figures to the alleged coup plot.”
The detained officers have allegedly been held without communication for over three weeks in an undisclosed location in Abuja. Family members said they initially feared the officers had been kidnapped due to the lack of official information from the authorities.
A retired senior officer reportedly questioned the selective detention, suggesting possible political undertones behind the operation.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Defence Headquarters or the Nigerian Army regarding the alleged raid
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