Trending Now - Nigeria Files Treason Charges Against Six in Coup Conspiracy
WHO:
Al Jazeera - The six charged individuals include retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani.
Al Jazeera - Timipre Sylva, the former Bayelsa State Governor, is accused of helping to conceal the plot and is currently at large.
BBC News - Six individuals have been charged, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector.
ABC News World - The charges are against six people allegedly involved in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
WHAT:
Al Jazeera - The six individuals charged are currently in custody, while Timipre Sylva is still at large.
Al Jazeera - The charge sheet includes 13 counts against the suspects, including conspiracy to wage war against the state and committing acts of terrorism.
Al Jazeera - The Nigerian government initially denied the existence of the coup plot before announcing in January 2026 that military officers would be tried for planning to overthrow the government.
Al Jazeera - The six suspects were part of a group of 16 military officers arrested in 2025 for "acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations."
Al Jazeera - The six individuals face a total of 13 counts in the charge sheet, which includes conspiracy to wage war against the state and committing acts of terrorism.
ABC News World - Nigerian authorities have charged six people with terrorism and treason.
BBC News - The allegations of a coup plot surfaced in October 2025, leading to the cancellation of an Independence Day parade.
WHERE:
BBC News - The events are taking place in Nigeria.
WHEN:
BBC News - The coup plot allegations first emerged in October 2025.
WHY:
Al Jazeera - The alleged coup plot is part of a broader trend of military takeovers in West and Central Africa, following a pattern of disputed elections and security crises.
ABC News World - The charges stem from an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
HOW:
Al Jazeera - The suspects are accused of providing "support" to Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, identified as the "mastermind" of the coup.
Al Jazeera - The charge sheet alleges that the suspects “conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism” and provided “support” to Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, identified as the “mastermind” of the coup.
ABC News World - The charge sheet seen by The Associated Press details the accusations against the six individuals.
(UPDATED April 22, 2026 03:59 UTC)
Six individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged coup plot in Nigeria, with the charge sheet listing 13 counts, including conspiracy to wage war against the state and committing acts of terrorism, while Timipre Sylva remains at large. These suspects are accused of supporting Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, who is identified as the mastermind behind the plot, and they were among a group of 16 military officers arrested in 2025 for breaches of service regulations. The Nigerian government had initially denied the existence of the coup plot but announced in January 20th26 that military officers would face trial, reflecting a troubling trend of military takeovers in West and Central Africa amid ongoing security crises and disputed elections.
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(UPDATED April 21, 2026 21:16 UTC)
Six individuals, including retired Major-General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana and retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, have been charged with a total of 13 counts, including conspiracy to wage war against the state and committing acts of terrorism. The charge sheet alleges that these suspects conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism and provided support to Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Ma’aji, who is identified as the mastermind of the coup. Additionally, Timipre Sylva, the former Bayelsa State Governor, is accused of helping to conceal the plot and is currently at large.
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(UPDATED April 21, 2026 15:23 UTC)
Nigerian authorities have charged six individuals, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, with terrorism and treason in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. The allegations first surfaced in October 20th25, which led to the cancellation of an Independence Day parade. The charge sheet, reviewed by The Associated Press, outlines the accusations against these six individuals involved in the coup plot.