News
Minimum wage: AGF tackles Labour as NASS fails to stop strike
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN), has faulted the organised labour over the nationwide strike it is starting today (Monday).
Fagbemi, in a letter to the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress leaders, dated June 1, 2024, insisted that the strike over the new minimum was a violation of a subsisting National Industrial Court order restraining the unions from grounding the nation through the strike action.
The AGF said this as a meeting convened by the National Assembly leaders on Sunday night failed to achieve its objective following the NLC and TUC’s insistence on going ahead with today’s strike.
The meeting, which was presided over by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, was attended by the NLC president Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo.
Also, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, affirmed that the government could not pay more than N60,000, which she said represented a 100 per cent increase on the current minimum wage.
On Sunday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told The PUNCH that the labour leaders might have an ulterior motive, stressing that the minimum wage offer they presented was unrealistic for both the federal and state governments.
N60,000 offer
On Friday, Organised Labour declared an indefinite nationwide strike due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase its new minimum wage offer above N60,000.
The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, announced that the strike followed failed negotiations between the government and organised labour, and its refusal to reverse the withdrawal of the power sector subsidy and increase in electricity tariff.
The unions had earlier given the May 31, 2024 deadline for the conclusion of new minimum wage negotiations.
The government had raised its minimum wage offer from N57,000 to N60,000 while the labour unions reduced their demand to N494,000 from N497,000 proposed earlier. The labour leaders initially demanded N615,000.
But the negotiations deadlocked as the government maintained its offer of N60,000, leading to the declaration of a nationwide indefinite strike.
However, the AGF in his letter addressed to the presidents of the NLC, Ajaero and the TUC, Festus Usifo, strongly condemned the planned industrial action, stating that it was wrong of organised labour to call out workers at a time when the government and other stakeholders were working towards determining a new national minimum wage.
The letter was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General, the Department of State Service.
Citing the Trade Union Dispute Act 2004, Fagbemi argued that the NLC and the TUC were required to issue mandatory strike notices of a minimum of 15 days.
The letter read, “It is pertinent to observe that at no time did either the NLC or the TUC declare a trade dispute with their employees or issue any strike notice as required by law for such strike action to be legitimate and lawful.
‘Strike premature’
“I wish to note that this latest declaration of strike action by organised labour is premature at a time when the Federal Government and other stakeholders involved in the tripartite committee on the determination of a new national minimum wage had not declared an end to negotiation,” Fagbemi noted.
Emphasising the significance of following due process in declaring a labour strike, the justice minister added, “By the Trade Union Dispute Act 2004, NLC and TUC are required to issue mandatory strike notices of a minimum of 15 days.
“It is pertinent to observe that at no time did either NLC or TUC declare a trade dispute with their employees or issue any strike notice as required by law for such strike action to be legitimate and lawful.
“It is not in doubt that the fundamental importance of the 15-day notice is underscored by the fact that both NLC and TUC failed to comply with the statutory condition precedents (dispute resolution procedures) provided for under section 18(b)(a) of the Trade dispute Act 2004, as amended.”
He also stressed that the proposed strike action is in breach of relevant conditions itemized under section 31(6) of the Trade Union Act, as amended.
“No person, trade union or employer shall take part in a strike or lockout or engage in any conduct in contemplation of any furtherance of trade dispute unless the person, trade union or employer is not engaged in the provision of essential services,” he declared, referencing the law.
The AGF further drew the attention of the labour leaders to an interim Injunction order granted by the National Industrial Court on June 5, 2023, in suit no: NICN/ABJ/158/23, between the Federal Government of Nigeria & Anor V. Nigerian Labour Congress & Anor.
The order restrained both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature.
The AGF noted that this “Order has neither been stayed nor set aside, therefore it remains binding on the labour unions.”
Fagbemi explained that the conditions outlined by Nigerian laws for exercising the right to strike were in tandem with the International Labour Organisation principles concerning the right to strike.
He assured that the government would adopt a conciliatory approach to resolving matters about workers’ and citizens’ welfare in the spirit of collective bargaining.
He appealed to the unions to shelve the planned strike and return to the negotiation meetings.
Addressing journalists after the meeting with the National Assembly leaders, the TUC President, Osifo, said, “The Senate President appealed to us to call off the strike.
“But we can’t sit here and call off the strike because we have other organs. We will take the appeals to our various organs.
“We don’t have the powers to call off the strike action. For now, the strike action will commence, while we discuss with our organs.”
But Akpabio appealed to the unions to shelve the strike, adding that “When the hospitals are closed, most poor people will die. Those who are even on oxygen will die. Those needing medical services will die. Goods and services will not move freely, productivity will reduce drastically. The living standards of Nigerians will also be impaired.”
Also speaking, Speaker Abbas said “There are three takeaways that we can go home with. One is that we have agreed to prevail on the government to revisit the issue of the 35k paid to Nigerian workers wage award that was started in October last year and stopped in February. We agreed that the wage award should continue until such a time that the minimum wage is agreed. We also agreed that the NLC and TUC should go and consult to suspend their strike as soon as possible to allow for negotiations to continue.”
Speaking with one of our correspondents in Abuja, on Saturday, the Minister of State for Labour, Onyejeocha, argued that the government and the Organised Private Sector could not afford the N494,000 demanded by labour.
“We are talking about the lowest level, minimum wage, that’s minimum level one. How will the Organised Private Sector pay? You’re talking about salary. Yes, things are hard, it’s hurting everybody, but the point is that is our economy buoyant? There’s so much inflation.
“So, if you pay somebody at level one N494,000, you’re talking about an increase of 1,547 per cent. We understand that, yes things are hard, let us increase the minimum wage by 100 percent from N30,000 to N60,000, and then you are telling us that people are already being paid over N70,000. I say from where, how?’’ she wondered.
Onyejeocha said the government had shown good faith, insisting that the palliatives and other social interventions indicate that President Bola Tinubu had been ‘very compassionate.’
Minister begs labour
She stated, “The President has been very compassionate. Check all the palliatives, all the interventions he’s been doing, just to make sure that things are fine.
“I have not seen any government in Nigeria go out of its way to do the kind of interventions that he’s doing, both in the education sector, health sector, social welfare and yet you’re not looking at that.’’
Stating that the government would not stop other social programmes just to please labour, Onyejeocha contended, “There are other things that the government needs money to do. You understand? If the government uses all its money to pay minimum wage for that percentage of people, then what happens to the rest?
‘’We will stop building roads, we will stop hospital care, so we will stop everything and then just concentrate on paying salaries for the workers. Does it make sense?”
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, the Special Adviser to the President, Onanuga, challenged Ajaero and Usifo, to suggest how the government could raise and sustain the projected N9.5trn needed to fulfil their demands.
He said, “The question we should be asking Ajaero and Usifo is where the money will come from. No government can implement what they are demanding. I suspect they have other motives. They added other conditions outside the minimum wage like the review of electricity tariff. There is no logic in what they are asking.
“You are asking the government to stop the electricity tariff so that it can continue paying N3trn subsidy on power and they are demanding a minimum wage that will cost the government about N9.5trn. Where will the money come from?
‘’I am beginning to think these labour people live in a world different from reality. The truth is that no director in the ministry earns that kind of money.
“And if they are talking about inflation, it was at 22 per cent when Tinubu came in. Tinubu was not the one who created it. So when they are talking, they must learn to speak the facts. We are just hoping the NLC and TUC will allow common sense to prevail and stop all these threats. You can’t just grind down a nation because you want more money, which is not sustainable.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, did not, however, rule out the possibility of a last-minute agreement with Organised Labour.
Idris, who said the government was eager to have both the NLC and the TUC return to the negotiation table, warned that a strike at a critical period like this could throw the country into chaos.
He said, “The FG is watching labour carefully but the room for dialogue is still open. We didn’t ask them to leave the negotiation table.
‘’They chose to walk away from it and we are urging them to return for dialogue because what they are planning to do is dangerous to the economy. It may spell a lot of doom for our country if they decide to embark on strike.
“The best option to solve any dispute is through dialogue. However, the FG is still hopeful they will return to the table for negotiation.”
When asked if the government has a plan to raise its N60,000 offer, Idris explained that the decision was not his to make.
“That is not within my power to talk about a new offer. That can be done by the tripartite committee of which they are a member. They can resolve it there. Other members are there. There are three parts to the committee: Aside from organised labour, there is the government side, which comprises the federal, state and local governments.
“Then, we have the organised private sector which has the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, small and medium scale enterprises, NACCIMA and the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association and all that. So they are there representing the private sector,’’ he explained.
So, we are urging them to come back and continue with the negotiation. This is because what they are planning to do could spell doom for Nigeria and the government cannot allow anything to jeopardize the Nigerian economy as well as its peace and security,” the minister stated.
Unions mobilise workers
Meanwhile, the affiliates of the NLC and TUC have begun mobilising their members nationwide, ahead of the strike.
To ensure full compliance with the strike directive, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives the Joint Health Sector Unions, and scores of other unions have issued notices of strike to their members.
In a notice to judicial workers, the JUSUN General Secretary, M. Akwashiki, said all the courts would be shut down during the labour action.
The statement read, “Following a declaration of industrial action by NLC and TUC, beginning from Monday 3rd June 2024, due to the inability of the government to conclude the negotiation of the new National Minimum Wage and refusal to reverse the increase in electricity tariff, I am directed to inform you to commence mobilisation ahead of the action.
“The action will start at midnight on Sunday nationwide, so all branches /chapters chairmen and secretaries of JUSUN are expected to ensure strict compliance with this directive.
“All vice presidents of our great unions are to monitor their respective zones to ensure compliance with the total shutdown of all courts and Judicial Institutes across Nigeria.
“Note that the nationwide action is to ensure governments agree on a new national minimum wage and subsequently pass it into law before the end of this month as they were notified; Reverse the hike in electricity tariff without consulting the stakeholders as required by the law to N225/kwh back to N66/kwh; Stop the apartheid categorization of Nigerian electricity consumers into bands.”
Furthermore, healthcare workers under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives and the Joint Health Sector Unions have said they will join the strike.
Speaking with our correspondent in a chat on Sunday, the National Secretary of JOHESU, Martin Egbanubi, said all the affiliate unions of the NLC and TUC have directed their members to join the strike.
JOHESU is the umbrella body for the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria; the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals; the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, and Associated Institutions; and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions.
When asked about the fate of patients who will need the services of its members, the secretary replied, “Certainly, that’s a big question for the government to answer. The strike is meant to elicit a response from the employer(s) on an issue in dispute and in this case, it’s a dispute of right.
“Union by labour jurisprudence can declare industrial action on the dispute of right. So, let the government respond expeditiously to the demand of Organised Labour for a decent wage.
“We are all in it together, anybody can fall sick and need urgent medical attention. Even with the current socio-economic conditions, workers are sick with poor wages and high cost of living.”
Also, the Chairman of NANNM, Lagos State Council, Christianah Adeboboye, confirmed that nurses will join the strike.
The Nigeria Union of Railway Workers through its Secretary-General, Igbokwe Francis, announced its readiness to participate in the strike, urging the Nigeria Railway Corporation management to protect all critical equipment and properties.
The Secretary General of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, Abdul- Rasaq Said, criticized the government for delaying the negotiations and directed ANAP members and all aviation workers to stay away from work from Sunday midnight.
Also, the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees in a notice of mobilization signed by its General Secretary, Sikiru Waheed, directed all state councils to mobilize their members for the strike.
Similarly, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers have directed their members to comply with the strike directive.
NUPENG members largely control activities in the midstream and downstream arms of the oil sector, while those in PENGASSAN handle the bulk of the upstream activities in the oil and gas sector.
The PENGASSAN and NUPENG directed their members to shut down all operations in the upstream, midstream and downstream arms of the oil sector, except for personnel manning for safety.
The General Secretary, PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, signed the letter for the senior staff association, while the General Secretary, NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale, signed for the downstream/midstream oil union.
The letter by PENGASSAN read in part, “To all National Executive Council Members. Dear Comrades. Directive to embark on a nationwide strike.
“Following the directives from our umbrella body, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria on the above subject, you are hereby directed to withdraw your services from all work locations effective Monday, June 03, 2024. The withdrawal of members includes offices, a logistics base, field operations, terminal operations, loading points, etc. The only exception is personnel manning for safety.
“The above is a result of the breakdown of discussion on the national minimum wage between the government and organised labour as the government is not desirous of offering an acceptable minimum wage that could address the current economic challenges plaguing the country’s workforce.
“We expect total compliance as anything to the contrary will be viewed as sabotage of the struggle which will attract the necessary sanctions.”
In another notice, the PENGASSAN directed its enforcement teams to block the entrances of all upstream oil installations nationwide beginning from Monday.
It gave the directive in a notice titled, ‘Special announcement from the National Desk of PENGASSAN,’ to all the oil union’s zonal, branch, and central executive councils.
The directive signed by the Public Relations Officer, Lagos Zone, PENGASSAN, Juliana Adenike, read in part, “Concerning the planned withdrawal of service from all of our offices on Monday, June 3, 2024, it is mandatory that there be strict compliance. It is your responsibility to ensure ‘no entry and exit’ in your offices by any of our members.
“All ZECOM, BEC, and CEC executives are to wear red or any PENGASSAN attire. (You should) mount your entrances and ensure that there is 100 per cent compliance with the above directive.
“There will be a joint task force of TUC/NLC and Lagos ZECOM going around to ascertain full compliance. Any company in default will be penalised.”
The NUPENG in its letter titled, ‘Compliance with the directive on indefinite nationwide strike,’ said the union was fully committed to the decision to embark on the strike.
Meanwhile, members of the Organised Private Sector have firmly voiced their opposition to the proposed strike, emphasising that it could unleash dire consequences, wreaking havoc on both the economy and businesses alike.
The OPS members in separate interviews said the economy is too fragile to withstand the repercussions of another strike action.
Source: the Punch
Military investigators probing the alleged attempted coup are working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit to unravel the financial flows linked to individuals accused of bankrolling the plot, according to The PUNCH.
This was as indications emerge that the bank accounts of some of the suspects might have been frozen by the authorities, as part of the probe procedures.
The PUNCH could not immediately confirm the development, as no one was willing to comment on it. But a security official described this as standard procedure in such cases.
However, multiple security sources familiar with the probe confirmed that the EFCC and NFIU are carrying out a forensic investigation on the bank accounts of the soldiers and the civilians involved in the plot to overthrow the Federal Government.
The forensic investigation will cover transaction analysis, including reviewing deposits, withdrawals, and transfers to identify suspicious patterns; tracking of account activity over time; identifying the origin of funds and determining the true owners of the accounts under probe.
The investigation is also said to have been widened to cover the associates and business partners of the key suspects.
The development is coming on the heels of the discovery of the alleged transfer of N45 billion from the Niger Delta Development Commission to those involved in the plot.
Sahara Reporters had reported that 16 Nigerian Army officers were arrested for allegedly planning a coup to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. The online platform linked the purported plot to the Federal Government’s cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration.
The Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, denied that the detention of the officers was tied to a coup attempt.
Nevertheless, security operatives raided the Abuja home of former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva, taking away his younger brother, Paga and driver, as the investigation gained momentum.
The former minister and All Progressives Congress chieftain was reportedly outside the country at the time.
On Wednesday, Sylva’s spokesman, Chief Julius Bokoru, confirmed that his principal’s residence was raided, adding that the ex-minister and his wife were out of the country at the time.
He denied the former governor’s involvement in the rumoured coup plot, accusing his political adversaries of trying to frame him.
Providing an update on Thursday, military insiders explained that the investigators are relying on the EFCC and NFIU to uncover the money trail and flow of funds deployed for the execution of the alleged coup.
Sources in the anti-graft agencies confirmed their involvement in the probe.
“This is discreet intelligence work. Until the entire exercise is concluded, we cannot provide a list of all those involved, how much was deployed for the plot or the amount recovered. The investigators are relying on the EFCC and NFIU for this,” a security source who is privy to the investigation disclosed.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment on Thursday. His NFIU counterpart, Aishatu Bantam, did not respond to phone calls.
Meanwhile, the names of the 16 alleged coup plotters have surfaced.
The army officers include a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant.
The remaining two are a lieutenant commander from the Navy, the naval equivalent of a major, and a squadron leader from the Air Force, which holds the exact rank equivalence.
Premium Times reported that 12 of the 14 army officers belonged to the Infantry Corps, the army’s frontline combat unit whose troops primarily engage in ground battles.
One officer is reportedly from the Signals Corps, which manages military communications, while another serves in the Ordnance Corps, responsible for procuring, storing, and maintaining weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other essential hardware.
They were reportedly led by Brig. Gen Musa Abubakar Sadiq. Others include Col M.A. Ma’aji, Lt. Colonel S. Bappah, Lt Col A.A. Hayatu, P. Dangnap, Lt. Col M. Almakura, Major A. J Ibrahim, Major M.M. Jiddah, Major M.A. Usman, Major D. Yusuf, Major I. Dauda, Capt Ibrahim Bello, Capt A.A Yusuf, Lt S.S Felix, Lt . Commander D. B. Abdullahi and Squandron Leader S. B Adamu.
Meanwhile, The Cable reported that an air force officer recently posted to the Office of the National Security Adviser was detailed to kill the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Accoring to The Cable, Squadron Leader SB Adamu (Service No. NAF/3481) from Jigawa State was posted to the National Counter Terrorism Centre — an agency under ONSA — about four weeks before the coup attempt was uncovered.
Contrary to claims that several suspects worked directly with ONSA, investigators said Adamu was the only one connected to the office through the NCTC.
Military insiders said when the National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj-Gen. Adamu Laka,requested the posting of a specific officer to the centre in August 2025, the request was surprisingly turned down. Instead, Adamu was deployed — a move now fuelling suspicions that the alleged coup plotters may have penetrated the military hierarchy.
Adamu is a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Regular Course 59.
News
Coup Plot: Inside Story Of How Nuhu Ribadu Escaped Death From Air Force Officer, Fresh Details Emerge
Recent investigations have uncovered additional information regarding a coup plot, shedding light on various troubling details.
This alarming revelation raises serious concerns about the integrity of national security. It highlights the extent to which the plotters may have been willing to go in their efforts to destabilize the government.
According to sources knowledgeable about the ongoing inquiry into this alleged conspiracy, an air force officer who has recently been assigned to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was allegedly tasked with the assassination of Nuhu Ribadu, the current National Security Adviser, according to TheCable.
The implications of these findings could be profound, potentially affecting both national security operations and the very fabric of governance in the country.
SB Adamu, a squadron leader with service no NAF/3481 from Jigawa state, was posted to the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) — a programme coordinated by ONSA — four weeks before the alleged coup plot was botched.
Contrary to reports that many of the suspects were working with the ONSA, Adamu was the only one linked to the office through the NCTC.
The NCTC is one of the programmes coordinated by the ONSA.
Military sources told TheCable that when Adamu Garba Laka, a major general and national coordinator of NCTC, requested for a specific officer to be posted to the centre in August 2025, he was surprised that his request was not approved.
Instead, Adamu was posted to the office — and this is now fuelling speculation that the alleged coup plotters had infiltrated the military hierarchy.
Adamu was a member of regular course 59 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
President Bola Tinubu recently did a clear-out, sacking two of his services chiefs, including Hasan Abubakar, an air marshal.
The detailed squadron leader was allegedly detailed to “take out” Ribadu just as some other officers were tasked with killing other senior government officials, TheCable was informed.
He is said to be cooperating with investigators.
Military authorities are yet to officially confirm the coup plot.
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) insisted, in a press statement after Sahara Reporters broke the story, that the ongoing investigation of 16 officers is a “routine internal process aimed at ensuring [that] discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks”.
Tukur Gusau, a brigadier and director of defence information, said the findings of the investigation will be made public.
Media reports have continued to reveal the identities of those in detention after the story of the alleged coup plot.
Source: TheCable
The Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare, says the Presidency will stand by the Nigerian Military’s position that there was never a coup attempt in Nigeria.
According to Naija News, on October 18, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had released a statement describing as false and misleading the reports online that alleged that activities to mark the 65th independence anniversary of Nigeria were cancelled over an attempted coup plot.
The rumours of a coup intensified further after President Tinubu sacked the Service Chiefs.
In an interview with TVC on Tuesday, Dare said the Presidency will stick to the narrative of the Nigerian Military that there was no coup attempt in Nigeria.
According to him, the presidency will only change its position when the military says otherwise, because the military is constitutionally empowered to secure the country.
He said, “We are going to stick to the narrative of the military because they are the ones constitutionally empowered to secure this country. They are given the power, arms and ammunition as the intelligence power.
“So when the military says these are the reasons why we have this development, we are going to stay with that narrative because that is the brief that is out there. Until the military comes with a different narrative, we are going to stay with that narrative. On some military being retained, there is a need to have institutional memory and maintain a balance and this decision was not taken on a flip for the person that was retained.”
In a significant turn of events, the military has taken decisive action by arresting a managing director linked to a burgeoning coup plot.
This strategic move comes amid an extensive investigation into the financial resources allegedly earmarked to support the coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu.
As the situation unfolds, there are growing concerns regarding the potential involvement of various stakeholders in this conspiracy.
Military investigators probing an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are reportedly grilling a Managing Director of a Federal Government agency in the South South region, according to The PUNCH.
BREAKING: Fresh Twist As Ex-Governor Sylva Breaks Silence On Alleged Role In Coup Plot, What He Says
Two intelligence officers confirmed that the MD was arrested for allegedly transferring a huge sum of money to a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who was fingered as one of the financiers of the alleged plot to forcefully change the government.
According to reports, investigators believe the funds were meant to finance the coup.
“The MD (name withheld) transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the fund transfer was connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for.”
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Former Bayelsa governor Sylva’s Abuja house was reportedly raided by investigators on Saturday, with military operatives arresting his younger brother, Paga, who is his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs and went away with his driver.
The former minister and All Progressives Congress chieftain was outside the country during the operation.
Sources with knowledge of the operation explained that he was planning to return to the country when he heard that the coup leaders had been arrested. He thus shelved his plan to return home.
“Sylva’s Abuja home was raided on Saturday, but he wasn’t around. His younger brother, Paga, who is the SA, Domestic, and the driver, were arrested. Investigators believe Sylva allegedly funded the coup plot. Sylva was abroad and was preparing to leave for Nigeria when he got wind of the arrest of the coup leaders. So, he stayed back.”
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, could not be reached for comments on Tuesday as they didn’t pick up calls from our reporter.
Gusau had, in a statement on October 4, said that 16 officers were detained for breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
“Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations,” the statement partly read.
However, online platform SaharaReporters claimed that the detained officers — ranging from the rank of Captain to Brigadier General —were being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
It also alleged that the officers were arrested at their homes across the country.
Bastard In Aso Rock’ – DSS Arrest Man Pushing For Coup On Social Media
Source: The Punch
Tension is palpable across the communities of Abuja following a foiled coup attempt, prompting authorities to intensify their efforts against those suspected of involvement in the plot.
In a significant development, members of the Nigerian Army executed a search operation at the Abuja residence of Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
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This raid is part of a broader investigation spearheaded by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) into the alleged conspiracy.
According to reports from SaharaReporters, this operation underscores the serious nature of the allegations flying around and the government’s commitment to unraveling the details behind this troubling incident. The atmosphere of uncertainty and concern in the capital seems to be growing as investigations unfold.
Multiple security sources confirmed to SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the army raid occurred at Sylva’s home in the Maitama area of Abuja.
According to insiders, a “special military team” carried out the operation after intelligence linked the “former South-South governor” to secret meetings allegedly held with some of the detained military officers.
“Nigerian Army special team ransacked the home of Timipre Sylva, who is believed to have fled Nigeria,” one top source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters.
“He is the South-South former governor frequently mentioned in the case. His brother, named Paga, was picked up during the raid. The operation also extended to his Bayelsa residence.”
Another security insider said that while no official statement had been issued regarding the raid, the action was “not random” but “a direct response to intelligence linking certain political figures to the alleged plotters.”
This development comes amid growing tension within the armed forces following SaharaReporters’ exclusive report that at least 16 senior military officers had been detained incommunicado by the DIA over an alleged coup plot.
The detained officers, drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have been held for over three weeks in an undisclosed Abuja facility under what sources described as “unusual and suspicious conditions.”
Family members told SaharaReporters they initially believed their relatives had been kidnapped, as there was no official communication from the military regarding their arrests.
“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,” a family member had said.
Security analysts have questioned why the DIA, an intelligence agency under the Ministry of Defence, is spearheading the investigation instead of allowing each military service to handle its personnel internally, a move seen as “highly political.”
“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?” one retired officer asked. “This smells of politics. There’s clearly more going on behind the scenes.”
Speculations are now rife that the alleged plot and subsequent arrests may have deeper political undertones, potentially involving some former office holders with ties to late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and a close ally of late Buhari, served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources between 2019 and 2023.
He was also the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the November 2023 Bayelsa election, which he lost to incumbent Governor Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
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The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service revealed that 15 people, comprising seven female adults, seven male adults, and four children, had been rescued with varying degrees of injury.
A two-storey building has collapsed in the Oyingbo area of Lagos, leaving an undisclosed number of people feared trapped.
The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, in a situation report, said that the agency received a distress call in the wee small hours of Monday.
Adeseye explained that the building located on 54, Cole Street, Cemetery Bus Stop, had been marked ‘Distressed’ before it collapsed on the occupants.
She revealed that 15 people, comprising seven female adults, seven male adults, and four children, had been rescued with varying degrees of injury.
They were taken to the Federal Medical Center, Ebute Meta, and General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island.
She, however, said a rescue operation by the Sari Iganmu Fire Station of the LSFRS was ongoing.
“It is an ongoing rescue involving an existing two-storey building which has reportedly [been] marked distress before collapsing on the occupants.
“Fifteen adults (seven male adults, four female adults, and four children) have been rescued with varying degrees of injury and taken to Federal Medical Center, Ebute Meta, and General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island,” the statement partly read.
Building collapses in Nigeria are a lingering concern, especially in the rainy season.
The incident happened weeks after six people were rescued in September after a two-storey building collapsed on Modupeola Street, Mangoro, Alimosho, Lagos.
Scene of the collapse of a three-storey building at Alagomeji, in the Yaba area of Lagos State.
On September 13, one person was confirmed dead when a three-storey building in Alagomeji area of the state collapse.
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