Nigerian authorities say they have charged six people, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, with terrorism and treason for an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, according to a charge sheet seen by The Associated…
Abuja, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities have charged six people, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, with terrorism and treason over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, according to a charge sheet seen Tuesday by The Associated Press.
All six people were in custody. A seventh suspect, former Bayelsa State Governor Timpre Silva, is accused of helping cover up the plot and is still at large.
In a 13-count charge sheet, authorities said the suspects “conspired with each other to intimidate the President of the Federal Republic by waging war against the State.”
The Nigerian government first said it had foiled a coup attempt in January, when it announced that several military officers stand trial. They were part of a group of 16 military officers arrested in 2025 for what military officials described as “acts of indiscipline and violation of service rules”, which fueled rumors of a coup plot, which the government initially denied.
Africa’s most populous country experienced five coups in the 20th century, but has not had one since its transition to democracy in 1999.
The alleged coup plot has come to light one after another Increase in coups and coup attempts in West and Central Africa, the latest in Benin and Guinea-Bissau late last year. Experts say military acquisitions follow Sample Disputed elections, constitutional turmoil, security crisis and youth discontent.
