Former Minister Timipre Sylva confirmed a military raid on his Abuja home but vehemently denied any connection to an alleged coup plot that has reportedly led to the detention of 42 army officers.
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday confirmed that military operatives raided his Abuja residence, though the purpose remains unclear.
Sylva, through his media aide Julius Bokoru, “unequivocally” denied involvement in any plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government. The raid, which reportedly caused “considerable damage,” also saw the arrest of Sylva’s brother and the managing director of a federal agency for alleged coup financing. Sylva and his wife were abroad for medical and professional reasons at the time.
Bokoru stated: “It is true that the residence of His Excellency, Chief Timipre Sylva, was recently subjected to a raid by individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters… Chief Timipre Sylva, CON, has no involvement whatsoever, either in planning or in logistics with any such plot.”
Meanwhile, sources claim the number of army officers detained over the alleged coup plot has grown to 42, despite the Defence Headquarters dismissing the initial reports as “false and malicious.”