Colonel Who Plotted Against Tinubu Says Denied Promotion Pushed Him

Colonel Mohammed Ma'aji, one of the principal suspects in the alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu's administration, has told investigators that repeated denial of promotion to brigadier general pushed him towards plotting to overthrow the government. According to Premium Times, the Niger State-born officer said his agitation began in 2023 after he became frustrated with the military hierarchy's failure to address worsening insecurity and poor welfare of personnel.

Ma'aji claimed he was lured into custody on September 29, 2025, after the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, personally called him about his promotion. He said he drove to Niger Barracks with high morale, only to be handed over to the Defence Intelligence Agency and questioned about the plot. He stated, "I drove immediately to Niger Barracks House 12 with very high morale because I was excited that my promotion issue was finally receiving attention."

So a man allegedly planned to overthrow a democratically elected government because he didn't get promoted? And the military chiefs used that same promotion as bait to arrest him. Which is more disturbing: the desperation of a colonel denied advancement, or the cynicism of generals who exploited it? What kind of military do we really have?