Fresh facts have emerged in the sudden illness of Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who reportedly took ill suddenly on the eve of his scheduled trip to Washington, D.C., for the World Bank Fall Meetings.
According to multiple sources familiar with the development, Edun’s collapse was not due to a medical condition alone but allegedly linked to a shocking security revelation that left him terrified.
A top source revealed: “Minister of Finance Edun collapsed when told he was number 4 on the kill list of alleged coup plotters.”
The source explained that the “kill list” was allegedly drawn up by a group of military officers accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration in what was described as a “violent takeover plan.”
“The new revelation that led to the abrupt illness of the Minister of Finance of Nigeria, Wale Edun, who was suddenly ill on the eve of his trip to Washington, DC, was that he saw his name on the kill list,” one insider said.
The minister, after the government initially denying reports that he had been flown abroad for medical attention, was later sighted in London.
“Edun collapsed upon being shown a kill list purportedly prepared by a group of military officers who reportedly were planning to overthrow President Tinubu’s regime in a violent manner.
“After initially denying that he was flown to London, Edun was sighted in London where he was walking wobbly to an Art Show as a proof of life,” the top insider said.
Two weeks ago, Wale Edun confirmed his travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention after an exclusive report by SaharaReporters stated that he had been flown abroad for urgent treatment following a serious illness.
The minister’s State of health had been described by a top government source as “very serious.”
It was reported on Thursday that an officer of the Nigerian Navy, Lieutenant Commander B Abdullahi, was identified as one of the senior military officers detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly planning a coup d’etat to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
The media had exclusively reported the arrest and subsequent detention of the senior military officers led by an Army Brigadier General for planning a coup on October 1st Independent Day celebrations.
While the Nigerian military in a statement claimed the detention of the officers was linked to “repeated failure in promotion examinations and perceived career stagnation”, top sources had revealed that they were actually arrested over a coup plot.
A top source from the Nigerian military authorities told the media on Thursday that a Naval officer and two Air Force personnel are among the detained officers, while the others are from the Nigerian Army.
The authoritative source identified the Navy personnel as Lt Commander B Abdullahi.
Sources in the Defence Headquarters had confirmed that the officers, drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, were picked up in coordinated operations by military intelligence after weeks of secret surveillance.
Below are the profiles of the detained officers as compiled by Premium Times:
1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq (N/10321) Brigadier General Sadiq is believed to be the suspected leader of the alleged coup plot.
This is not his first brush with controversy. In October 2024, he was reportedly detained for “alleged diversion of rice palliatives and selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles to scrap yards.”
2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji (N/10668)
Colonel Ma’aji, born on March 1, 1976, is a Nupe native from Niger State.
3. Lieutenant Colonel S. Bappah (N/13036)
Lt. Col. Bappah, from Bauchi State is a member of the 56 Regular Course.
4. Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Hayatu (N/13038)
A native of Kaduna State.
5. Lieutenant Colonel P. Dangnap (N/13025) from Plateau State, Dangnap. He was court-martialed in 2015 alongside 29 others for offences linked to the Boko Haram war.
6. Lieutenant Colonel M. Almakura (N/12983)
Lt. Col. Almakura, also from Nasarawa State, was born on March 18, 1983.
7. Major A.J. Ibrahim (N/13065)
From Gombe State, Major Ibrahim was born on June 12, 1987.
8. Major M.M. Jiddah (N/13003)
Born on July 9, 1985, Major Jiddah hails from Katsina State.
He is an Infantry officer and member of the 56 Regular Course (2004–2008).
9. Major M.A. Usman (N/15404)
Major Usman, from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
10. Major D. Yusuf (N/14753)
Born on May 26, 1988, Major Yusuf hails from Gombe State.
He serves in the Ordnance Corps.
11. Major I. Dauda (N/13625)
From Jigawa State, Major Dauda joined the Army through the Direct Short Service Commission (Course 38).
12. Captain Ibrahim Bello (N/16266)
Born on July 28, 1987, Captain Bello is a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.
13. Captain A.A. Yusuf (N/16724)
Captain Yusuf is a Nigerian Army officer with limited public records available.
14. Lieutenant S.S. Felix (N/18105)
Lt. Felix is among the junior officers in detention. Details about his role remain unclear.
15. Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi (NN/3289)
Lt. Commander Abdullahi serves in the Nigerian Navy and is one of two non-Army officers detained in connection with the alleged coup plot.
16. Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu (NAF/3481)
Squadron Leader Adamu serves in the Nigerian Air Force. His alleged involvement remains under investigation.
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