A Nigerian Navy lieutenant commander on trial over an alleged coup plot has admitted sending a WhatsApp message describing President Bola Tinubu as “scared” after the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade.
Bayawo Abdullahi, 38, from Kogi State, made the admission in a written statement, confirming he sent the message to coup leader Mohammed Ma’aji, a Nigerian Army colonel, shortly after the parade was called off.
The alleged coup plot was uncovered in September 2025, leading to the arrest of 16 military officers initially. About 40 people, including senior military officers, a police officer, and civilians, have since been arrested and are facing prosecution. Six civilians and former military officers are being tried in a civil court, while serving military officers face a General Court-Martial.
Following the plot’s discovery, authorities cancelled the Independence Day parade and reshuffled the military’s top hierarchy. The Defence Headquarters said the parade was called off so the president could attend a bilateral meeting abroad, but the cancellation coincided with the date Ma’aji was arrested.
“The Bagger Is Scared”
Abdullahi recalled the message he sent Ma’aji after the parade cancellation: “The man has cancelled the parade; the bagger is scared.”
It is unclear whether Abdullahi knew Ma’aji had already been arrested when he sent the message. He said the remark was based on the president’s history of skipping the parade and reflected his personal opinion at the time, not knowledge of any coup plans.
He admitted the message amounted to misconduct. “I accept that my actions have threatened the national security of Nigeria and are also disloyal to the president,” he stated.
Asked whether he knew Independence Day had been proposed as an execution date for the plot, Abdullahi said he did not. “I just said this out of ignorance,” he said, adding that Ma’aji never discussed execution dates with him.
Grievances Over Promotion
Abdullahi said his grievances mirrored Ma’aji’s, who had twice failed to secure promotion. He said he has faced promotion issues since 2018, when he and colleagues were denied advancement after a case in Apapa led to letters of displeasure. He was later posted to Maiduguri, and at Jaji, he said he and others were withdrawn from a senior course over exam-related accusations.
Doubts About the Plot
Abdullahi said he doubted Ma’aji’s capacity to execute a coup, citing his lack of logistics. He said he eventually dismissed him as a “joker” and stopped responding to his messages. His only regret, he said, was failing to report the plan — though he claimed he did not know who to report it to.
Recommendations
Abdullahi called for better channels for military personnel to air grievances, particularly over punishments for unintentional offences. He also flagged the rising cost of military welfare school fees, now comparable to private schools, and urged government action on economic hardship and hunger. He further recommended affordable home ownership schemes for officers and improved welfare conditions across the armed forces.
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