Coup Suspect Admits Mocking Tinubu Over Parade Cancellation

A Nigerian Navy lieutenant commander standing 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.

In a statement presented before the General Court-Martial, the 38-year-old officer from Kogi State, Bayawo Abdullahi, acknowledged sending the message to the alleged coup leader, Nigerian Army Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, shortly after the annual parade was called off. The alleged coup plot was uncovered in September 2025, leading to the arrest of about 40 suspects, including serving and retired military officers, a police officer and civilians. While the serving officers are facing trial before a General Court-Martial, the civilians are being prosecuted in a civil court.
Following the alleged plot, the Federal Government cancelled the Independence Day parade and later reshuffled the military hierarchy. Although reports linked the cancellation to the alleged coup attempt, the Defence Headquarters maintained that the president cancelled the event to attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country. The cancellation, however, coincided with the arrest of Colonel Ma’aji, who is accused of leading the plot.
Recalling the message, Abdullahi said he wrote to Ma’aji: “The man has cancelled the parade; the bagger is scared.” He explained that the remark was based on what he believed was the president’s history of not attending the Independence Day parade and insisted it reflected his personal opinion. He, however, admitted that the message amounted to misconduct, stating that his actions were disloyal to the president and had threatened Nigeria’s national security. He also denied knowing that October 1 had allegedly been proposed as the date for executing the coup plan.
The officer said he had longstanding grievances over delayed promotions dating back to 2018 and recounted being denied advancement and withdrawn from a senior course over disciplinary issues. Despite maintaining contact with Colonel Ma’aji, he said he never believed the alleged coup plot would succeed because he considered the colonel to lack the logistics required to carry it out and eventually dismissed him as a joker. Abdullahi added that his greatest regret was failing to report the alleged plan, saying he did not know the appropriate authority to inform.
As part of his recommendations, the officer urged the government to improve communication channels for addressing the grievances of military personnel, review disciplinary measures, reduce the cost of education in military welfare schools, tackle the country’s economic hardship and hunger, and provide affordable home ownership opportunities while improving the welfare and living conditions of members of the armed forces.