Sylva denies coup plot link, calls residence raid “politically motivated”

Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa State governor, has denied any involvement in an alleged coup plot, dismissing reports linking him to the matter as “politically motivated.”

This comes after reports on Tuesday alleged that personnel of the Nigerian Army raided Sylva’s Abuja residence as part of an investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) into a purported coup plan.

In a statement on Wednesday, Julius Bokoru, Sylva’s special assistant on media and public affairs, confirmed the raid but said the former governor had no connection to any plot. He explained that Sylva travelled abroad for a routine medical check-up and a professional engagement.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is true that the residence of Mr Timipre Sylva was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters,” Bokoru said.

“However, both Mr Sylva and his wife, Alanyingi Sylva, were outside the country at the time of the incident.”

Bokoru said Sylva’s home suffered “significant damage” during the operation and that no justification or authorisation was provided by the operatives involved.

“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. The officers did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently,” he added.

Sylva, he said, is currently in the United Kingdom for medical reasons and is expected to travel to Malaysia for a professional conference afterwards.

Addressing speculation about Sylva’s alleged role in a coup attempt, Bokoru stressed that the former minister “has no involvement whatsoever—either in planning or logistics—with any such plot,” adding that the Defence Headquarters had already refuted the coup rumours.

Reports by SaharaReporters on Tuesday indicated that Sylva’s Maitama residence was raided by a “special military team” following intelligence allegedly linking him to secret meetings with detained military officers. His brother, identified as Paga, was reportedly arrested during the operation, which also extended to his Bayelsa home.

Security sources quoted in the report claimed the action was “not random” but based on intelligence suggesting involvement by certain political figures.

The development comes amid rising tension in the military following reports that at least 16 senior officers across the Army, Navy and Air Force are being held incommunicado by the DIA over an alleged coup plot.

Family members of the detained officers reportedly said they initially feared their loved ones had been kidnapped, as there was no official communication regarding their arrests.