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Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, one of the principal suspects standing trial over the alleged failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has told investigators that repeated denial of promotion to the rank of brigadier general pushed him towards plotting to overthrow the government.

According to statements made by the officer during interrogation, Ma’aji said he first began canvassing support for a military takeover in 2023 after becoming frustrated with what he described as the military hierarchy’s failure to address worsening insecurity and the poor welfare of serving and retired personnel.

The documents, obtained by Premium Times, indicate that the Niger State-born officer claimed his agitation began towards the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration after he failed to secure promotion despite believing he deserved advancement.

He also alleged that concerns about deteriorating conditions within the armed forces and dissatisfaction among officers contributed to the decision.

Ma’aji disclosed that military authorities had become aware of his activities as early as 2023.

According to Premium Times, he said he was invited to the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) that year over allegations that politicians intended to use him to disrupt the 2023 general elections.

According to him, his mobile phone was confiscated for forensic examination before he was released.

“I was released with a verbal apology because there was no evidence,” he stated in one of the interrogation statements.

The officer, however, said his resolve hardened after he was again denied promotion in 2024.

“When I missed my second attempt at promotion to brigadier general in 2024, some of the boys started disturbing and calling on me that we needed to revive the movement again,” he told investigators.

“They were afraid that I might be retired prematurely and that all of us will regret it.”

Ma’aji was eventually arrested on September 29, 2025, after what he described as an elaborate operation by senior military authorities who allegedly exploited his desire for promotion to lure him into custody.

In his statement, the colonel said he received a telephone call from the Chief of Staff to the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, directing him to report to House 12 at the Niger Barracks.

He added that Oluyede personally telephoned him shortly afterwards, urging him to come quickly because they needed to discuss his long-delayed promotion.

According to Ma’aji, the Army chief also asked whether he had spoken with retired Major General A. Mohammed, popularly known as “Bandect,” strengthening his belief that the invitation was genuinely related to his promotion.

“I drove immediately to Niger Barracks House 12 with very high morale because I was excited that my promotion issue was finally receiving attention,” he said.

Unknown to him, investigators said the alleged coup planning had already reached an advanced stage, with operational strategies, fundraising plans, weapons mobilisation and logistics arrangements reportedly mapped out.

Ma’aji claimed that during the meeting, discussions initially focused on his delayed promotion.

According to him, the Army chief questioned him about his service record, course grades and assured him that he would be promoted before the meeting allegedly took a dramatic turn.

He said the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, arrived and instructed him to accompany him to his office to collect a message for retired Major General Bandect.

Ma’aji further claimed that before leaving, Oluyede handed him $1000 as welfare support and directed him to accompany the intelligence chief.

Believing he was merely delivering a message, he said he drove behind the Defence Intelligence chief to the DIA headquarters.

However, upon arrival, he said he was taken to the office of Brigadier General Nicholas Ashinze, Director of Operations at the DIA, where he was immediately questioned over the alleged coup plot.

“It was there he started asking me about the plot involving myself, Lt. Felix, Lt. Col. Bappah and others,” Ma’aji stated.

The officer said he initially denied any knowledge of the alleged conspiracy until investigators informed him that one of the alleged co-conspirators, Lieutenant S.S. Felix, had already been arrested while Lieutenant Colonel Shamsuddeen Bappah had gone into hiding.

“That was how the investigation commenced on 29 September 2025 till today,” he added.

In the same statement, Ma’aji appealed for leniency for the other suspects, insisting that they had realised their mistakes during the investigation.

He claimed the alleged actions were motivated by patriotism and a desire to improve Nigeria rather than personal gain.

He also urged authorities to improve the welfare of military personnel, describing conditions within the armed forces as dire.

According to him, officers and soldiers face severe economic hardship, inadequate housing, poor welfare packages and declining morale, warning that frustration continues to grow within the ranks.

He further called on military authorities to establish internal mechanisms through which officers could safely air grievances without fear of victimisation.

The alleged coup plot first came to public attention in October 2025 after SaharaReporters exclusively reported that 16 senior military officers had been arrested over an alleged plan to overthrow President Tinubu’s government.

Subsequent investigations expanded the list of suspects to include serving military officers, retired officers, civilians, a police inspector and a Presidential Villa worker accused of assisting with reconnaissance activities.

Following months of investigation, the Defence Headquarters acknowledged the existence of the alleged plot and announced that serving military personnel implicated in the conspiracy would face court martial, while retired officers and civilians would be prosecuted before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The alleged conspiracy also triggered significant changes within the military hierarchy, including the cancellation of Nigeria’s October 1 Independence Day parade and a major reshuffle of the Armed Forces’ top command.