Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva Reportedly Nabbed Over Alleged Coup Plot

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has reportedly been arrested by security operatives over allegations linking him to a coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

According to reports by 9News Nigeria, Sylva was allegedly captured after an intensive manhunt by state security agencies. The report claims the former minister had been on the run for several days before his eventual arrest.

An anonymous source within the Presidency was quoted as saying that Sylva’s arrest followed “credible intelligence” linking him to a network allegedly involved in sponsoring or coordinating anti-government activities aimed at destabilizing the current administration.

Although details of the alleged coup plot remain sketchy, sources suggest that investigators are probing possible financial and political connections between Sylva and certain disgruntled political actors both within and outside the country.

As of press time, neither the Department of State Services (DSS) nor the Presidency has issued an official statement confirming or denying the report.

Sylva, who served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari and previously governed Bayelsa State between 2008 and 2012, has not been seen publicly in recent days.

Efforts to reach his media aides for comments were unsuccessful.

If confirmed, the arrest marks one of the most high-profile detentions of a political figure under the Tinubu administration amid heightened concerns about political stability and internal security in Nigeria.

Further details are expected as investigations continue and official statements are released.