Armed personnel of the Nigerian Army have stormed the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva. The raid is over an alleged link to a coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency. According to multiple security sources, the operation was carried out by a special military team in the early hours of Tuesday at Sylva’s residence in Maitama, Abuja. The raid followed intelligence reports linking the former governor to a series of secret meetings allegedly held with some of the detained military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

A top security source familiar with the development disclosed that the operation also extended to Sylva’s Bayelsa home, where his brother, identified as Paga, was arrested. The source revealed, “The Nigerian Army special team ransacked the home of Timipre Sylva, who is believed to have fled Nigeria. He is the South-South former governor frequently mentioned in the case. His brother, Paga, was picked up during the raid.” Another security insider confirmed that the raid was not random but followed what was described as “credible intelligence linking certain political figures to the alleged plotters.”

This development occurs amid heightened tension within the Armed Forces following the detention of at least 16 senior military officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force by the DIA in connection with the same plot. The officers have been held incommunicado for over three weeks. A family member of one detainee said, “It’s been 18 days since those 16 officers were detained in an undisclosed location. At first, we thought our brother was kidnapped before finding out what transpired from his friend who works in the NSA office.” Security analysts have expressed concern over the DIA’s role, with a retired senior officer questioning, “If the military were truly conducting a disciplinary operation, over 10,000 cases could emerge. Why only 16 officers, and why hand them to the DIA? This smells of politics. There’s clearly more going on behind the scenes.” Speculation is rife that the alleged plot may have political undertones involving individuals linked to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. As of press time, no official statement has been issued by the Army.