Nigeria: Exclusive - How Alleged Coup Plotters Planned to Recruit Repentant Boko Haram, Civilian JTF Members

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing Premium Times, reported on 29 July 2026 that documents linked to an alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu show plans by suspected conspirators to recruit “repentant” Boko Haram fighters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, or CJTF. Premium Times said the report is part of its exclusive series on a plot it says was uncovered in September 2025, beginning with the arrest of 16 serving military officers.

According to the report, the documents obtained by Premium Times exceed 7,400 pages and include statements, bank records, encrypted chat exchanges, receipts and hotel details. The outlet reported that about 40 people had been arrested by January 2026, including military personnel, a police officer and civilians. Serving officers are reportedly before a General Court-Martial, while civilians and former military officers face prosecution at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Six individuals were charged in April, though some defendants have challenged the voluntariness of statements being used by prosecutors.

The article says Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, described as an alleged leader of the plot, identified Major Jamilu Ilyasu as the person who suggested using repentant Boko Haram fighters and CJTF members. Ilyasu, in his own statement cited by Premium Times, reportedly acknowledged raising the idea of recruiting CJTF members, but did not address recruiting former Boko Haram fighters.

Premium Times said the apparent rationale was that such recruits had combat experience and, in some cases, access to weapons through counterinsurgency arrangements in Nigeria’s North-east. The report also provides context on the CJTF as a state-backed militia that emerged from community resistance to Boko Haram in Borno State, and on rehabilitation programmes for surrendered insurgents.