EXCLUSIVE: How coup suspect mocked Tinubu after Independence Day parade was cancelled

A Nigerian Navy lieutenant commander standing trial over an alleged coup plot admitted sending a message describing President Bola Tinubu as “scared” after the cancellation of the 1 October Independence Day parade.

This part of the PREMIUM TIMES series on the yet-untold stories about the now moot coup plot against the President Tinubu-led government captures the paradox of motivation and doubts that characterised the alleged conspiracy, through the lens of an officer.

Following the thwarted plot, authorities cancelled the Independence Day parade and reshuffled the military top hierarchy.

The suspect explained that the remark was based on what he described as the president’s history of not attending the Independence Day parade, and he insisted that the message reflected his personal opinion at the time.