Military investigators are reportedly questioning the Managing Director of a federal government agency in the South-South over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Another online media, The PUNCH, said its sources told it that a top official was arrested after allegedly transferring a huge sum of money to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

The transfer, investigators believe, was meant to fund a planned coup.

“The MD transferred a huge sum to Sylva. Investigators are probing if the money was linked to the coup plot. He’s answering questions about what the funds were for,” an intelligence officer said.

Sylva, who also served as governor of Bayelsa State, was said to be outside the country when his Abuja home was raided last Saturday. During the operation, military operatives reportedly arrested his younger brother, Paga Sylva—who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs—and his driver.

Another source said Sylva had planned to return to Nigeria but changed his mind after learning that alleged coup leaders had been arrested.

“He was preparing to come back when he got wind of the arrests. So, he stayed back abroad,” the source revealed.

Efforts to reach Defence Headquarters’ spokespersons, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye and Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, were unsuccessful as their phones went unanswered.

Earlier in October, the military had confirmed the arrest of 16 officers over “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.” The Defence Headquarters said their grievances stemmed from frustration over stalled promotions.

However, reports by Sahara Reporters claimed the officers—from Captain to Brigadier-General—were detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government. The report alleged that secret meetings were already being held to execute the plan.

“The military was only being diplomatic in their statement,” a source quoted by the platform said. “Those officers were actually planning a coup. They’ve been meeting in secret on how to take over power.”