A team of Nigerian soldiers has reportedly raided the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, over an alleged coup plot being investigated by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
According to reports by SaharaReporters, the operation was conducted by a special military unit at Sylva’s home located in the upscale Maitama district of Abuja.
Sources quoted in the report claimed that the raid was prompted by intelligence linking the former minister to secret meetings with some detained military officers, said to be under investigation.
The source further disclosed that Sylva, who was allegedly not at home during the operation, is believed to have fled the country before the raid.
“Nigerian Army special team ransacked the home of Timipre Sylva, who is believed to have fled the country. His brother, identified as Paga, was arrested during the raid. The operation also extended to his Bayelsa residence,” the report quoted the source to have said.
The alleged development comes amid heightened security vigilance in the country following the recent reorganisation of the armed forces by President Bola Tinubu, who appointed new service chiefs last week.
The reshuffling of service chiefs announced on October 24, followed weeks of speculation about discontent within the military ranks and reports of a foiled coup attempt, a report by THE WILL reiterated.
Earlier this month, the Nigerian Army confirmed that 16 officers were being investigated for “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.” While several media outlets linked the probe to a possible coup plot, the military high command dismissed such claims, describing the investigation as “a routine exercise.”
Timipre Sylva, a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2019 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He was also the APC governorship candidate in the November 2023 Bayelsa State election, where he lost to the incumbent, Governor Douye Diri.
As of press time, neither the Defence Intelligence Agency nor the Nigerian Army had issued an official statement regarding the alleged raid or Sylva’s reported involvement in the ongoing investigation.
Efforts to reach the former minister or his media aides for comments were unsuccessful.
[Sources: SaharaReporters/THE WILL newspaper]
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