Nigeria: Exclusive - How Coup Suspect Mocked Tinubu After Independence Day Parade Was Cancelled

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing a Premium Times report from Abuja dated 26 July 2026, says a Nigerian Navy lieutenant commander on trial over an alleged plot against President Bola Tinubu’s government admitted sending a WhatsApp message mocking the president after the 1 October Independence Day parade was cancelled. The officer, identified as 38-year-old Bayawo Abdullahi from Kogi State, reportedly acknowledged writing to alleged plot leader Mohammed Ma’aji, an Army colonel, that the parade cancellation showed Tinubu was afraid.

According to the report, Premium Times said the alleged coup plan was uncovered in September 2025, with 16 military officers initially detained and about 40 people eventually arrested, including senior officers, a police officer, civilians and former military personnel. Serving officers are said to be facing a General Court-Martial, while several civilians and ex-officers are being prosecuted in a civil court. Authorities cancelled the Independence Day parade after the plot was thwarted, though Defence Headquarters publicly attributed the cancellation to the president’s travel for a strategic bilateral meeting.

Premium Times reported that Abdullahi said the message reflected his personal view and denied knowing that 1 October was allegedly being considered as an execution date for the plot. He nonetheless accepted that his conduct was improper and disloyal. He also described promotion-related grievances dating back to 2018, while saying he doubted Ma’aji had the resources to carry out a coup and later viewed him as unserious.

The account matters because it offers a glimpse into the alleged motivations, doubts and welfare complaints cited by one accused officer in a case involving national security, military discipline and civilian rule in Nigeria.