advertisementA senior officer in the Nigerian Army, Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, has been identified by military investigators as the key mastermind behind the foiled coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Sixteen suspects were initially arrested, including Ma’aji, and detained at the underground facility of the Defence Intelligence Agency. President Tinubu, who was reportedly visibly shaken after being briefed, promptly cancelled the 2025 Independence Day parade. He also set up a special investigation panel chaired by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye. Initially denying the coup claims, the Defence Headquarters admitted in January 2026 that officers plotted to overthrow the Tinubu government.