A Navy officer on trial for an alleged coup plot admitted mocking President Tinubu as “scared” after the 2025 Independence Day parade was cancelled.
Navy Officer Confesses To Mocking Tinubu After Parade Cancellation
Navy Lieutenant Commander Bayawo Abdullahi, 38, admitted sending coup leader Mohammed Ma’aji a WhatsApp message calling Tinubu “the bagger,” saying he was “scared” after the parade was cancelled, Premium Times reports.
The coup plot was uncovered in September 2025, leading to 16 initial arrests; about 40 people, including senior officers, a police officer and civilians, are now being prosecuted, with civilians facing civil trial and serving officers a General Court-Martial. The parade’s cancellation coincided with Ma’aji’s arrest, though Defence Headquarters attributed it to a presidential trip abroad.
Abdullahi said he didn’t know Ma’aji had been arrested and insisted the remark reflected personal opinion based on Tinubu’s history of skipping the parade. He admitted the message amounted to misconduct and disloyalty, but denied knowing October 1 was a proposed execution date, saying Ma’aji never briefed him on such details.
Citing promotion grievances dating to 2018 and a withdrawal from a senior course at Jaji over exam allegations, Abdullahi said he doubted Ma’aji’s capacity to stage a coup, eventually calling him a “joker” and ignoring his messages. His only regret, he said, was not reporting the plan.
He recommended better communication of military grievances, cheaper education in military schools, and improved welfare, including affordable home ownership for officers.
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