Nigeria: Exclusive - How Police Officer Guarding Villa Gates Scammed Alleged Coup Plotters, Facilitated Advance Inspections

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing Premium Times, reports new details from a series on an alleged failed coup plot against Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The report says confidential prosecution files describe how alleged conspirators sought insider help to enter the Presidential Villa in Abuja, and how police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, assigned to Villa gate and VIP escort duties, allegedly exploited that request for personal gain while giving them the impression that access could be arranged.

According to the report, 36 serving military officers are facing a General Court Martial in Abuja, while six alleged conspirators are on trial at the Federal High Court before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik on 13 charges. The federal case reportedly includes Ibrahim; retired Major-General Muhammed Gana; retired Navy Captain Erasmus Victor; Zekeri Umoru; Bukar Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani. Premium Times says all the defendants have pleaded not guilty, and their lawyers have challenged the admissibility of statements made to investigators before trial.

The documents cited by Premium Times allege the plotters had previously considered disrupting the May 2023 presidential handover but failed because of funding and logistics. The report further alleges the plan was revived in 2025, with discussions about weapons, money, reconnaissance and possible targets among top political and military figures. These allegations remain subject to court proceedings.

Premium Times reports that Ibrahim told investigators he met alleged strategist Mohammed Ma’aji through a corporal and later agreed with Villa electrician Zekeri Umoru to pretend access was possible while collecting money. Ibrahim also reportedly admitted escorting senior military officers around parts of the Villa, despite saying entry for a coup operation was not feasible.