Details from Allies Reveal Alleged Coup Leader's Life and Doubts

A Nigerian Army officer has shared his loss of faith in the alleged 2025 coup plan. He said he became discouraged by the alleged leader’s behavior and reliance on traditional spiritualists and Islamic clerics.

This information comes from a statement given by Shamsuddeen Bappah, a lieutenant colonel in the Nigerian Army Signals Corps. Investigators obtained this statement as part of a large collection of over 7,400 pages of documents for the trial of suspects linked to the alleged coup at the General Court Martial and the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The documents include statements from other suspects, bank records, secret notes, and evidence of the alleged conspirators' conversations. PREMIUM TIMES has reviewed these materials to report extensively on last year’s failed attempt against President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Bappah, 41, from Bauchi State, revealed insider details about the alleged coup when investigators questioned him about his role. He admitted to attending meetings discussing the coup and receiving money from Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, identified as a key player in the alleged plot.

The investigation

Security agencies began their investigation after receiving information in September 2025. They learned that both active and retired military officers, along with some civilians, were allegedly planning to violently take over the government.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that the alleged conspirators intended to assassinate President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and several senior military officers before seizing power.

Investigators found that different members of the group had roles ranging from logistics and funding to propaganda and military operations. In a separate report, PREMIUM TIMES detailed key targets and leaders assigned to oversee these operations.

Bappah stated that he was expected to play an operational role. He was assigned to seize and hold 102 Battalion in Zuma, Niger State.

'Something will happen and the military will take over'

Bappah told investigators that he had known Ma’aji since their time as cadets at the Nigerian Defence Academy. Ma’aji later became his instructor and Battalion Adjutant.

He explained that discussions about changing the government had been ongoing for years. "We always discussed the situation of the country and the way things are going," he said. "So he told me that one thing that can solve it is to change the government, and we have been discussing it for like four to five years."

According to Bappah, during a meeting at Command Guest House in Kaduna around 2022 or 2023, Ma’aji directly stated, "Something will happen and the military will take over."

'I started having doubts'

Even with his involvement, Bappah's trust in Ma’aji started to wane. He said this change was not due to military plans but rather Ma’aji's personal behavior.

"I started having doubts when I saw his consistency on the issue of carrying women becoming too much, even in Abuja where his wife is," he explained. "I felt that he’s not being loyal to his family."

Bappah worried that if Ma’aji could not be loyal to his family, he might struggle to secure loyalty from others. "I started wondering if he can handle Nigeria at large without betrayers," he added.

'He would never allow anyone treat his own daughter that way'

Bappah further expressed concern over Ma’aji's interactions with women. He stated that Ma’aji treated women in ways he would never allow for his own children.

"Col Ma’aji has a mature daughter, but will never for once bring her… for anybody to use," he said. These experiences led him to have "negative thoughts" about Ma’aji’s judgment and character.

He feared that Ma’aji’s behavior might jeopardize their plans. "I also felt that due to his too much relationship with women, even for success, it could lead to failure," he said. Bappah worried that any public exposure of these relationships might harm their operation.

Another insider expresses doubts

Bappah was not the only one who lost faith in the alleged coup. An earlier report highlighted Nigerian Navy lieutenant commander Bayawo Abdullahi’s doubts about Ma’aji’s ability to execute the coup.

In his statement, Abdullahi, who is 38 and from Kogi State, said he doubted the coup's feasibility due to Ma’aji's failure to arrange logistics for it. Abdullahi, who had initially supported the plot because of personal grievances, later referred to Ma’aji as a joker.

He regretted not reporting the plan. "I was not really into his plans and what and how he intends to do that," he explained. Abdullahi sent a WhatsApp message to Ma’aji mocking President Tinubu after the October 1 parade was canceled. Unknown to him, authorities had already arrested Ma’aji the same day.

Preparing for the takeover

As discussions continued, Bappah claimed he received specific responsibilities. He stated that Ma’aji told him Colonel M.M. Adamu would coordinate blocking major entry routes into Abuja, while Bappah’s role would begin after power was seized.

He was tasked with making arrests in Abuja on the day of the takeover. Bappah said he was instructed to prepare a speech for after the coup. "He even told me to use a write-up to conduct rehearsals while I was in Lagos," he stated.

Others indicated that Bappah was to seize and hold 102 Battalion. Major Abdulkarim Ibrahim told interrogators that Bappah was initially expected to announce the takeover but that role later went to him.

Meetings and money

Bappah stated that planning meetings often occurred at Ma’aji’s home in Army Housing, Lokogoma, Abuja. He identified individuals involved, including Major A.J. Ibrahim and Major Iliyasu. Bappah admitted to receiving N1.5 million to fix his official vehicle after informing Ma’aji that its engine had failed.

He said that after he complained about the vehicle, Ma’aji asked if he had one in the unit. Bappah explained that Lieutenant Felix would need the vehicle for their assignment if anything happened. He also received another N5 million into his Zenith Bank account for personal use.

Why he never reported

Bappah knew the discussions about overthrowing the government were illegal but did not report them. "I didn’t report because I was afraid of him noticing and doing me harm if he discovered," he said. He turned off his phone after suspecting Ma’aji’s arrest to avoid being tracked.

His statement is one of many records obtained by PREMIUM TIMES from interrogations following the alleged coup plot. Many suspects now face trial at the General Court Martial or the Federal High Court in Abuja. Some are challenging the admissibility of their statements.

Ma’aji, the man who put three-decade career on the line to rally for coup

Colonel Ma’aji, with service number N/10668, had a military career lasting three decades. Born on March 1, 1976, in Nupe, Niger State, he joined the army as part of the 47 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He completed his training in 2000, rising to lieutenant colonel in 2013 and full colonel in 2017. Ma’aji had various operational roles, especially in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, which became key to his professional and political connections.

He served in Operation Crocodile Smile II in 2017, a significant army exercise aimed at tackling militancy and insecurity. At the time of his arrest in September 2025, he was the Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion in Okitipupa, Ondo State. There is no record showing that Ma’aji has had the chance to respond to allegations about his personal life. As the court trial continues, he might have the opportunity to address claims made by his former allies.